Late Saturday night, Zionsville police arrested a man in the Irishmans Run neighborhood after a department drone helped officers spot him hiding in a wooded patch near Interstate 865. A concerned neighbor had reported a man dressed in black running through residential backyards and a suspicious vehicle cruising the area, which brought multiple units to the scene. Officers briefly chased the man on foot, used a taser, and arrested him after finding a window punch and rubber gloves in his possession.
Drone Guides Officers Straight To Hiding Spot
In a post on the Zionsville Police Department Facebook page, the agency says its department-issued drone picked up the man concealed in brush and fed officers real-time directions on the ground. The post identifies the suspect as Fabian Eliseo Llancavil Nahuel and says he was arrested on suspicion of obstruction of justice, giving a false identity and resisting law enforcement. The department also reports that officers later uncovered two nationwide warrants for grand theft and organized criminal activity. According to the post, the man tried to flee during the encounter, and Whitestown police along with Boone County Sheriff's deputies helped canvass the neighborhood.
Drone Program Tied To Recent Burglary Concerns
Zionsville has been training officers as certified drone pilots and says the technology helps speed up searches and keep officers safer, according to WRTV. Recent coverage has also detailed burglary investigations in and around Irishmans Run and the department's reliance on camera registries and extra patrols, per YouAreCurrent. Taken together, that backdrop helps explain why a drone was quickly brought in on Saturday night.
Charges, Evidence And Police Advisory
The department's post says officers recovered a window punch and rubber gloves, items police describe as commonly tied to burglary activity. The suspect was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit and taser deployment. In the same message, Zionsville police urged residents to report suspicious behavior and reminded the public to call 911 for emergencies. For non-emergency reports, the town lists (317) 873-5967 as the Zionsville Police Department's main line, according to the Town of Zionsville monthly report.
Legal Notes
The man has been arrested and the department says warrants were located, but those allegations have not been tested in court. As with any arrest, the individual is entitled to due process, and the charges will move forward through the appropriate county or state channels.
