Dashcams, Drones and Dogs: High-Tech Tools Help Catch Suspected Car Thief in Douglas County

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. It started with a ping — a Flock Safety camera flagged a stolen vehicle moving through Douglas County. What followed was a multi-agency pursuit powered by technology, strategy and teamwork. A licensed plate reader sparked the pursuit.

On the night of June 20, deputies received an alert from the Flock system, a network of license plate recognition cameras that scans vehicles in real time. The hit was for a stolen car. Deputies quickly moved into position.

“Stolen vehicles are the nexus for most property crimes — and even some crimes against people, like robberies,” Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly said. “Systems like Flock tell you in real time when criminals are coming into your community.”

Stop sticks deployed, but suspect escapes

Deputies placed stop sticks near Park Meadows Mall, aiming to deflate the suspect’s tires and end the chase. But the driver avoided the trap and kept moving.

Before losing the vehicle, one deputy managed to launch a StarChase GPS tracker — a small, adhesive device fired from the front of a patrol vehicle. It stuck to the back of the fleeing car and transmitted its real-time location.

Drones provide aerial advantage in difficult terrain

In Douglas County, drones have become a critical tool for law enforcement, especially in situations where suspects flee into hard-to-reach or potentially dangerous areas. The sheriff’s office uses unmanned aerial systems to quickly scan large areas from above, relay real-time video to officers on the ground, and maintain visual contact without putting deputies at immediate risk.

In pursuits like the June 20 incident, drones help narrow down search zones, monitor movement through dense terrain and assist K-9 units by providing aerial support during ground tracking efforts.

Tracker leads deputies into Arapahoe County

With the tracker active, Douglas County deputies monitored the car as it crossed into Arapahoe County. The sheriff’s office there joined the effort as the vehicle entered a more rural, wooded area.

“The vehicle was located near a dense wooded area,” Weekly said. “We deployed a drone. We also deployed that K-9 unit to track these suspects down. And it was the dog that ended up tracking them into a highly dense wooded area.”

Drone and K-9 locate two suspects

With the car abandoned, deputies relied on aerial surveillance and boots — and paws — on the ground. A drone scanned the forest from above while a K-9 unit picked up the scent below.

The two suspects were eventually located and taken into custody.

Driver faces multiple charges

The driver was arrested and charged with motor vehicle theft, vehicular eluding, violation of a protection order, obstructing a peace officer, a misdemeanor warrant, possession of a dangerous or illegal weapon and criminal possession of a financial device.

The passenger was issued a summons for obstructing a peace officer and released at the scene.

Sheriff: ‘We’re going to hold the line’

At one point during the chase, law enforcement made the call to end the pursuit due to safety concerns. But the investigation never lost momentum.

“I think any time you give up — or don’t want to put these kinds of resources into keeping your community safe — you’re telling criminals your community is vulnerable,” Weekly said. “We’re going to hold the line in Douglas County. We’ll go out of our way to capture these people by whatever means necessary.”