Two men were arrested on Saturday after police said they flew a drone “dangerously close” to Boston’s Logan International Airport.
The Boston Police Department said Sunday that officers apprehended 42-year-old Robert Duffy of Charlestown and 32-year-old Jeremy Folcik of Bridgewater for allegedly flying a drone near Logan’s airspace. The two Massachusetts men were charged with trespassing, but police say they could face more serious charges.
“Even small drones pose significant risks, including the potential for catastrophic damage to airplanes and helicopters,” the police said. “Near-collisions can cause pilots to veer off course, putting lives and property at risk.”
Police said that on Saturday, at 4:30 p.m., an officer specializing in real-time crime surveillance noticed an Unmanned Aircraft System “operating dangerously close” to the airport. That officer was then able to identify the drone’s location, altitude, and flight history and track the operator’s location on Long Island, part of the Boston Harbor Islands.
A police unit went to Long Island, where officers found the operators at a decommissioned health care center.
“Upon attempting to make contact, the suspects fled on foot. Two of the three individuals were apprehended and identified as Duffy and Folcik. During the investigation, a drone was discovered inside a backpack carried by Duffy,” the police said.
Police said a third suspect, who was not identified, likely escaped the island in a small boat.
“Recognizing the serious risks posed by the drone’s proximity to Logan’s airspace, additional resources were mobilized,” the police said, noting that local law enforcement worked with Homeland Security, Massachusetts State Police, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Federal Communications Commission, and the airport to locate the drone and track the suspects.
“The Boston Police Department is committed to ensuring public safety and will continue to take necessary action against hazardous drone operations,” the police said.
CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
The arrests come amid a rash of “mysterious drone” sightings throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern U.S., including New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. These sightings have left the public and elected officials confused and demanding answers.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Sunday that the agency would provide New Jersey law enforcement with special equipment and manpower to address the drones.
“We’ve deployed personnel, technology, and if there is any reason for concern, if we identify any foreign involvement or criminal activity, we will communicate with the American public accordingly,” he claimed. “Right now, we are not aware of any. If we become aware of any, we will communicate accordingly and take appropriate action.”
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[[{“value”:”
Two men were arrested on Saturday after police said they flew a drone “dangerously close” to Boston’s Logan International Airport.
The Boston Police Department said Sunday that officers apprehended 42-year-old Robert Duffy of Charlestown and 32-year-old Jeremy Folcik of Bridgewater for allegedly flying a drone near Logan’s airspace. The two Massachusetts men were charged with trespassing, but police say they could face more serious charges.
“Even small drones pose significant risks, including the potential for catastrophic damage to airplanes and helicopters,” the police said. “Near-collisions can cause pilots to veer off course, putting lives and property at risk.”
Police said that on Saturday, at 4:30 p.m., an officer specializing in real-time crime surveillance noticed an Unmanned Aircraft System “operating dangerously close” to the airport. That officer was then able to identify the drone’s location, altitude, and flight history and track the operator’s location on Long Island, part of the Boston Harbor Islands.
A police unit went to Long Island, where officers found the operators at a decommissioned health care center.
“Upon attempting to make contact, the suspects fled on foot. Two of the three individuals were apprehended and identified as Duffy and Folcik. During the investigation, a drone was discovered inside a backpack carried by Duffy,” the police said.
Police said a third suspect, who was not identified, likely escaped the island in a small boat.
“Recognizing the serious risks posed by the drone’s proximity to Logan’s airspace, additional resources were mobilized,” the police said, noting that local law enforcement worked with Homeland Security, Massachusetts State Police, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Federal Communications Commission, and the airport to locate the drone and track the suspects.
“The Boston Police Department is committed to ensuring public safety and will continue to take necessary action against hazardous drone operations,” the police said.
CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
The arrests come amid a rash of “mysterious drone” sightings throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern U.S., including New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. These sightings have left the public and elected officials confused and demanding answers.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Sunday that the agency would provide New Jersey law enforcement with special equipment and manpower to address the drones.
“We’ve deployed personnel, technology, and if there is any reason for concern, if we identify any foreign involvement or criminal activity, we will communicate with the American public accordingly,” he claimed. “Right now, we are not aware of any. If we become aware of any, we will communicate accordingly and take appropriate action.”
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