A coordinated effort involving a drone, K-9 units, and two law enforcement agencies led to the swift capture of a burglary suspect Monday afternoon near the Yo Mart Store on Mike Padgett Highway.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO), deputies responded around 1:25 p.m. to assist the Burke County Sheriff’s Office after several burglary suspects fled from the scene. One suspect reportedly escaped through the back door of the store and ran into a wooded area behind the business.
RCSO deputies, including members of the K-9 and Drone teams, joined the search. Deputy Hawkins and K-9 Roy began tracking the suspect, while Investigator Ferguson deployed a drone to help survey the area from above, authorities said. The K-9 team eventually located a track leading deeper into the woods, where K-9 Roy found the suspect hiding inside an abandoned vehicle.
Deputies identified the suspect as 49-year-old Christopher Quick, who was taken into custody without incident. He and three other suspects, along with two vehicles, were turned over to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.
Agencies assisting in the operation included the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol, K-9 and Drone Units, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Sheriff Gino Brantley credited the quick apprehension to inter-agency cooperation and advancing technology.
“Our expanded K-9 program and our use of technology such as drone deployment are playing a vital role in helping us reduce crime and apprehend criminals more effectively,” Brantley said in a statement. “The cooperation between agencies throughout the CSRA is as good as it gets, and together we are working every day to make this region safer for everyone who lives, works, and visits our area.”
Additional details about the investigation may be obtained from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.
