Metro Nashville officers say a high-flying assist from a police drone helped them catch two men accused of robbing a person outside a Robinson Road business in Hermitage on Tuesday night. Live video from the Drone as First Responder program reportedly showed one man clutching a boxcutter while grabbing the victim, and officers later recovered the blade near the scene. Both suspects were taken into custody on site.
According to WZTV, officers monitoring the live feed watched as Antonio Crews appeared to hold a boxcutter in one hand and grab the victim by his shirt with the other. The victim told police he had sent Crews $200 via Cash App and handed $100 in cash to Donavon Steele. Officers say they found the cash on Steele and returned it to the victim.
How the drone program works
In a media release, the Metro Nashville Police Department explained that its Drone as First Responder pilot stations three drones on the roof of the Madison Precinct, covering roughly a two-mile radius so operators can beam live video to officers on the ground within minutes. The limited trial is expected to run for 30 to 45 flight days and uses aircraft loaned by Skydio.
Chief John Drake told WPLN the main advantage is simple: getting eyes on a scene faster than patrol units can roll up, giving officers a clearer picture of what they are walking into.
Evidence and charges
Officers say the drone did not just capture the alleged robbery in real time, it also helped find what they believe was the weapon used. According to WZTV, the drone guided officers to a boxcutter hidden under a stack of pallets near the robbery site, matching what they had seen in the live footage.
Crews was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery. Steele was booked on robbery charges for acting in concert, authorities said. Both men are being held on $25,000 bond.
DFR in practice and the bigger picture
The Hermitage case is not the only time the DFR trial has paid off. Earlier this spring, MNPD operators used drone footage to help locate a domestic violence suspect in Madison, local outlets reported. WSMV reported that incident, which officials say highlights how quickly the program can give officers near-immediate situational awareness.
MNPD officials say they plan to compile data once the pilot wraps up and will use those findings to decide whether the drone program should be expanded beyond the test phase.
What happens next
The two men remain in custody awaiting arraignment, and the case will move forward through the Davidson County court system. Police have not released any additional information about the investigation.
