SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. – A Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy utilized a drone to apprehend a fleeing suspect on August 24, after a motorcycle chase turned into a foot pursuit.
The incident began around 10:30 p.m. when the deputy noticed a motorcycle without a license plate on Market Street, north of Parksmith Drive.
The deputy attempted a traffic stop, but the rider, identified as 37-year-old Lucas M. Clevenger, fled, riding off-road and eventually crashing near railroad tracks.
Determined to escape, Clevenger ran into the darkness and thick brush. However, the deputy, who is also a UAS (drone) operator, launched his drone and quickly located Clevenger using thermal imaging.
Within moments, the drone’s camera pinpointed Clevenger in a field, allowing deputies to converge on his location.
“He made the correct choice and surrendered,” the Sheriff’s Office reported.
Clevenger was arrested and booked into the Spokane County Jail. He faces charges of attempting to elude a law enforcement vehicle, along with existing warrants for felony violation of a court order and misdemeanor obstructing.
During his first appearance, Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner E. Cruz released Clevenger on the new charge but upheld bonds for his warrants.
He remains in jail with a total bond of $30,000 and a Department of Corrections hold.
