Drone pilots and Swat Team members combined forces to locate a suspect last night in South Stafford.

On February 6th at 8:08 p.m. deputies responded to a disturbance with a weapon on Taylors Hill Way. Deputies learned a 29-year-old resident was intoxicated and had fired several shots inside the home.

The suspect was identified as Franco Charles and deputies received conflicting information on whether he was inside the home or had fled on foot. A drone was flown into the residence and the suspect was not located. The SWAT Team responded and the drone began flying over the area. Deputy C.M. Sterne located the suspect walking on Truslow Road and gave commands to surrender. Instead of stopping, Charles fled into the woods.

Drone operators focused on the latest sighting and quickly located the suspect in the woods. Charles was subsequently taken into custody and charged with shooting into an occupied dwelling and reckless handling of a firearm. He was held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

Excellent teamwork to safely take the suspect into custody.