Auburn Police say a department drone helped officers locate a suspicious person and intervene before a motorcycle could be stolen.

Police said that officers received a report of a suspicious person tampering with a motorcycle. The department deployed its Skydio Drone as First Responder system, commonly referred to as DFR, to the call.

Police said the drone reached the scene before officers and located the motorcycle. It then tracked the suspect as the person allegedly tried to push the motorcycle into the street and ride away.

Officers were able to respond before the motorcycle was stolen, police said.

The department described the incident as an example of how its drone technology can help officers respond more quickly and prevent crime.

No additional information was provided about when or where in Auburn the incident occurred, whether anyone was arrested or whether charges were filed.

Video

Here’s video of this incident, courtesy Auburn P.D.:

What is Skydio DFR?

DFR stands for “Drone as First Responder.” Skydio, the company that makes the technology, describes DFR as a public safety system that allows drones to be dispatched to calls for service and provide live aerial information before officers or other first responders arrive. Skydio says its DFR Command software can route drones to high priority calls and provide real time video and situational awareness to responders.

As we previously reported, Auburn P.D. now deploys drones at calls before officers to track the suspect(s).