The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office has utilized a drone equipped with a magnet to disarm a suspect without directly endangering officers, a tactic they describe as a potential first in law enforcement. The incident involved 30-year-old Austin Carter, who was sought for violating parole and was found to be a registered sex offender with a significant criminal history.
A SWAT team arrived at Carter's residence on Wednesday to apprehend him. Deputies attempted to negotiate with Carter, who had been seen with a firearm, but received no response. He was reportedly barricaded inside his garage.
Deputies then deployed a drone, nicknamed "Buster," a robotic K9 platform, into the cluttered garage. The drone located Carter, who was lying down and unresponsive. Officers maneuvered the drone to a position where a powerful magnet attached to it could pull the knife from Carter's hand.
Following the disarmament, the drone was used to clear obstacles from the garage, allowing deputies to access Carter. He was subsequently removed from the residence and taken into custody.
Authorities believe Carter may have consumed a large quantity of drugs while barricaded. Paramedics rendered aid to him at the scene before he was transported to a local hospital. After being medically cleared, Carter was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail and is being held without bail. He faces multiple felony charges, including parole violations.