Auburn Police arrested two people on suspicion of drug loitering after a welfare check near downtown, using a drone to observe activity inside a parked vehicle and track one person who walked away, according to the department.

The response began when a community member called 911 to report two people slumped over inside a vehicle in a parking lot, with suspected drug paraphernalia visible. A police drone operator deployed a Skydio drone to assess the situation before officers arrived.

Through the drone’s camera, the operator observed both people smoking an unknown substance from a smoking apparatus, police said. The man also was seen smoking a substance from aluminum foil. The department did not identify the substance.

Video

Below is video from the incident, courtesy Auburn P.D.:

When officers arrived, the man left the vehicle and walked toward the nearby Sounder Station parking structure. The drone operator provided updates on his movements, helping officers locate and detain him without incident.

Both the man and woman were arrested for drug loitering. Police forwarded the case to Auburn prosecutors for review.

Police said the drone’s observations helped officers assess the reported activity before approaching the vehicle and follow the man after he left. The department described the incident as an example of its Drone as First Responder program supporting more informed police responses.