Video released Monday shows the drone tracking a 24-year-old suspect after a Nov. 11 domestic dispute.
MIAMI, FL — A Miami Police Department drone helped officers locate and arrest a man accused in a domestic battery case, after the aircraft reached the neighborhood before patrol units and tracked the suspect’s path on video, police said Monday.
Police said the drone-aided arrest matters now because it illustrates how Miami’s Drone First Responder program is being used on active calls where timing and visibility can reduce risks to victims, neighbors and officers. The incident stems from a Nov. 11 report that a boyfriend shoved his girlfriend and damaged a window. Police identified the suspect as 24-year-old LeCurry Anthony Williams Jr. The department released edited aerial footage showing the search and detention, and said the drone’s live feed provided officers minute-by-minute updates until they moved in without further incident.
According to the department, dispatchers sent the drone, labeled DFR 11, to the address minutes after the Nov. 11 call. The aircraft arrived first and found a man leaving the property. The video shows him crossing yards and briefly moving out of view before reappearing in different clothing. The drone maintained visual contact as officers converged. Patrol units were directed to a side street, where the suspect was detained and placed in handcuffs. In a written statement accompanying the footage, the department said, “This enhanced situational awareness allowed officers to approach and apprehend the suspect safely and without further incident.” The arrest occurred without injuries reported to the victim, officers or bystanders. Crews later documented the broken window noted in the original call for service.
Officials said the man detained in the footage was Williams, who, according to police, had shoved his girlfriend and vandalized a window before leaving on foot. Investigators said the drone’s live video helped officers keep track of his movements as he tried to change clothes and blend in. The department said Williams was booked on a battery charge connected to the domestic dispute. Jail records and local reports indicate he was later released on bond. Police described the drone as part of a small fleet staged to launch rapidly during peak call times. The program, they said, is meant to speed up assessments, preserve evidence from the air when appropriate and guide ground units into safer positions. Police did not release audio of radio traffic but said the feed was monitored by trained personnel who relayed directions in real time.
Miami has used drones for search-and-rescue, crash mapping and crowd monitoring, and in recent months has expanded first-responder launches to priority calls that include domestic disturbances. The domestic dispute on Nov. 11 unfolded in a residential area, where fences, alleys and parked vehicles can limit sight lines for ground units. Video distributed by the department shows the drone holding a steady hover above rooftops and panning to track the suspect as he moves between properties. While some large cities have tested similar “drone as first responder” pilots, Miami police emphasized the safety benefits in this case: the drone arrived ahead of officers, reduced guesswork on where to set a perimeter and gave a clear view of the suspect’s clothing changes. The department did not disclose the specific drone model or the exact flight time.
Under Florida law, police drone surveillance is generally restricted without a warrant, with exceptions for emergencies and imminent threats to life or property. Miami police said the Nov. 11 launch responded to an active domestic violence call, with the drone used to locate a person of interest and support responding units. Investigators documented property damage at the scene and took statements related to the reported battery. As of Monday, police said the case remains open while prosecutors review the arrest report for formal charging decisions. Any additional counts connected to alleged vandalism could be decided during that review. Authorities did not announce a news conference but said further updates would come through standard public records releases.
Neighbors who saw patrol cars arrive said the scene ended quietly once officers reached the block. The drone video released by police shows no foot chase or use of force beyond the arrest itself; the suspect appears to comply as officers close in. “It gave our officers a clear picture before they turned the corner,” the department said in its statement, adding that first-responder launches are intended to shorten response times and minimize risks during volatile calls like domestic disputes. The aerial footage also shows officers checking the home and speaking with residents as the drone keeps watch overhead, then descending as the arrest team leads the suspect to a cruiser.
Police said Williams was booked on a battery charge and released on bond; additional case steps now move to Miami-Dade court, where prosecutors will determine formal charges and a hearing schedule. The Drone First Responder unit remains in service, and police said it will continue to assist on priority calls. As of Monday evening, no further injuries were reported, and investigators were still taking statements connected to the Nov. 11 incident.
Author note: Last updated December 1, 2025.