Police Drone Helps Nab Suspect

By Greg Ritchie
Messenger Reporter
HOUSTON COUNTY – Houston County Sheriff Randy Hargrove released a statement regarding the arrest of 33-year-old Lazarus Crockett, with Crockett Police Department’s new drone being utilized to help find the suspect.
Hargrove released the following statement regarding the Thursday, May 1 arrest:

“At approximately 11:05 a.m., the suspect, Lazarus Crockett, was allegedly seen with a stolen ATV in his possession. Crockett reportedly rode the ATV into a wooded area, hid the ATV and then hid himself from law enforcement. Using drone technology, and with the help of the Crockett Police Department, Emergency Management and HCSO Deputies, suspect Crockett was located and taken into custody at approximately 12:15 p.m. The ATV was later located in a creek after the water from the previous rainfall receded. Thank you to all who helped bring this fugitive to justice.”

The Messenger was given exclusive access to CPD’s newest drones last summer as they arrived for duty, equipped with long-range cameras, night vision cameras and built-in speakers, allowing law enforcement to speak directly with suspects.
Hargrove had earlier shared with The Messenger information about Crockett, alleged to be involved in a number of thefts in the county. Crockett was arrested at that time with a number of others, also suspected in the ongoing thefts.
Messenger reports show a number of arrests involving Crockett, from out-of-county charges of theft from September of last year, Houston County charges of trespassing and resisting arrest from October and more out-of-county theft charges in January. Crockett is now pending charges of theft and possessing a prohibited substance in jail.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]