Drone Locates Wanted Man In Stafford: Police

STAFFORD, VA — A drone surveillance tool helped police find a wanted man Tuesday morning near the 400 block of Pinnacle Drive, according to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office. Fredy Daniel Velasquez, Jr., 27, of Stafford, was charged with two counts of domestic assault and battery (outstanding warrants) and failing to comply with pretrial supervision. He's being held without bond.

Around 8:30 a.m., police responded to the aforementioned area after receiving a tip that Velasquez had been seen in the backyard of a townhome. Police then found he had run into the woods behind the residence just before they arrived. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts. Also, like us on Facebook, and if you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

They then launched an "unmanned aircraft system," or drone. A thermal image showed Velasquez hiding in the wooded area between Pinnacle Drive and Mine Road. He was found hiding under a tree.

Photo: Stafford County Sheriff's Office