A shoplifting call at an Arvada Target turned into a high-tech game of follow-the-leader on June 17, when a police drone quietly shadowed a suspect from the store to a nearby Arby’s, where officers moved in for the arrest.
According to DroneXL, a loss-prevention officer at the Target near West 78th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard reported an active theft around 7:45 p.m. A Skydio X10 drone that was already in the air picked up the suspect and tailed the person across several blocks to the Arby’s at West 80th Avenue and Wadsworth. Officers met the suspect at the restaurant, confirmed an active arrest warrant, and booked the individual on allegations of stealing more than $340. Police reported no vehicle chase and no injuries.
How Arvada’s Drone First Responder Program Operates
The city’s Drone First Responder program, or DFR, lets trained staff launch drones to get real-time aerial video on certain calls before officers reach the scene. That includes in-progress crimes, searches for suspects, and hazardous situations that might put officers or bystanders at risk. As outlined by the City of Arvada on its Drone First Responder page, every flight is governed by department policy, logged for transparency, and limited to specific public safety missions in an effort to protect privacy.
Quick Rollout, Busy First Weeks
Arvada moved quickly from contract to active flights. A council resolution this spring funded an Axon technology bundle that included Skydio docks and DFR services, a process detailed in reporting by Kim Monson Newsroom. The program launched in late May and was fielding a steady stream of calls almost immediately, closing "83 calls in its first nine operational days," according to DroneXL.
The Skydio X10: Built For Drone First Responders
The Skydio X10 at the center of this arrest carries a high-resolution visible camera with 16× continuous zoom and a FLIR Boson+ thermal imager, allowing operators to track movement in a range of lighting conditions. It pairs with an autonomous dock that handles launch and recharge, with each battery providing roughly 35 minutes of flight time. Those features, highlighted by Skydio in its product materials, are a big part of why agencies use the platform for rapid rooftop deployments.
Privacy, Oversight And The Real Time Information Center
City officials say the DFR program and the Arvada Real Time Information Center, known as ARTIC, are intended to boost officer safety, cut down on risky vehicle pursuits and free up patrol units for higher-priority calls. At the same time, they point to strict policies, access controls and auditing requirements that govern how the systems are used. The Arvada Real Time Information Center page describes those safeguards and notes that drone flights and usage statistics will be posted through a public transparency portal.
