An Orland Park man’s alleged high-speed escape attempt ended in a marsh near Schussler Park on Monday night, after police say a drone helped officers track him through the dark and thick brush. The chase followed a narcotics investigation at a nearby home where officers reported finding a large quantity of cannabis, and the suspect is now facing multiple felony charges.
According to police, officers were working a narcotics investigation in the 14100 block of John Humphrey Drive when they learned a tenant had been evicted and a large amount of cannabis had been discovered inside the residence. While officers were still on scene, they spotted 38-year-old Deandre Walton driving by in a vehicle with expired registration. When they attempted a traffic stop, he allegedly sped off, at times leaving the roadway and cutting across residential yards, as reported by FOX 32 Chicago.
Investigators later set up surveillance at a nearby address and observed Walton being dropped off in the 8900 block of Riviera Parkway around 7:30 p.m. Police say he took off on foot, heading into a pond and the surrounding marshland near Schussler Park. The department deployed its Drone as First Responder unit, which located Walton hiding in dense brush and relayed real-time location information that guided officers to him, allowing them to take him into custody without further incident, according to Patch.
On Jan. 13, Walton was charged with possession of cannabis with intent to deliver in an amount police described as between 2,000 and 5,000 grams, along with aggravated fleeing and eluding, resisting arrest and several traffic offenses. He was being held pending an initial court appearance scheduled for Wednesday at the Bridgeview Courthouse, FOX 32 Chicago reported.
What the charges carry
Under Illinois law, possessing between 2,000 and 5,000 grams of cannabis with intent to deliver is classified as a Class 1 felony, a level that carries significant potential prison time and financial penalties. The Cannabis Control Act’s penalty table places that quantity in the Class 1 range, with sentencing and fine guidelines set out in Section 5 of the statute, as summarized by Justia.
Drone as First Responder
The Orland Park Police Department’s Drone as First Responder program is billed by village officials as a tool to boost officer safety and speed up evidence-gathering during investigations and patrols. The village notes that the drone capability is integrated into routine patrol operations and training, and officials credited the drone’s live video feed with helping officers coordinate a controlled arrest in the marshy area near Schussler Park, according to the Village of Orland Park.
Police say the investigation began with the eviction at the John Humphrey Drive residence, where the large cache of cannabis was found. Neighbors reported a heavy police presence near Schussler Park during the evening search, and Walton’s case is now moving through the Cook County court system, with his initial appearance set for Wednesday, per Patch.
