Santa Monica Police drones help catch car thief red-handed in busy beach parking lot over holiday weekend

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) — The Santa Monica Police Department has invested in drones to combat crime in their city.

During the busy Fourth of July holiday weekend, one of their drones caught a car theft suspect red-handed.

In the video, the drone spots a man with a backpack searching a busy parking lot on the beach.

He takes tools out of his sweatshirt, picks the lock of an SUV and slides into the driver’s seat.

The drone pilot alerted the surrounding patrol cars. When they arrived, the man was already in another vehicle, a pickup truck.

The drone pilot was able to lead the officers directly to the man. They arrested him and found numerous stolen items in his possession.

He is accused of burglary and other theft offenses.