In a move officials described as a “first in the nation,” the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office says it used a drone fitted with a magnet to safely remove a knife from a wanted man’s hand, allowing deputies to avoid putting officers directly in harm’s way.
The agency shared video on social media Wednesday showing the unusual arrest of 30-year-old Austin Carter, who authorities said had barricaded himself inside a cluttered and dirty home.
Carter was wanted for violating parole, according to the sheriff’s office. Officials also identified him as a registered sex offender with an extensive criminal record. A SWAT team went to his residence Thursday to take him into custody.
“Negotiators made repeated attempts to establish communication and have Carter, who was seen earlier with a firearm, surrender peacefully. They received no response,” the sheriff’s office said in a social media post.
The Sacramento Sheriff’s Office flew a drone into 30-year-old suspect Austin Carter’s cluttered home and used it to disarm him. The knife Carter was holding is attached to the magnet on the drone. (Sacramento Sheriff’s Office)
The department also introduced one of the tools used in the operation, writing, “[M]eet Buster! Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office’s new robotic K9 platform,” in the post.
Deputies then sent a drone into the home, where it found Carter in a corner of the garage. After locating him, they equipped the drone with a strong magnet and maneuvered it toward the knife he was holding.
Drone footage shows the device hovering above Carter as he lay on the floor and appeared unresponsive. Moments later, the knife lifted from his hand and snapped onto the magnet, effectively disarming him without a direct confrontation.
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Sheriff’s deputies remove Austin Carter, 30, from his home and arrest him for violating his parole on June 18. (Sacramento Sheriff’s Office)
After that, deputies used Buster, a robotic K9 unit, to remove all the obstacles in the garage so they could more easily get to Carter. They also used a large armored vehicle to provide support to officers.
In the video, two heavily armed officers could be seen dragging Carter out of the house as he writhed and tried to break free from their grip.
Deputies render aid to Austin Carter after he was apprehended inside his home (Sacramento Sheriff’s Office)
Once Carter was subdued, paramedics immediately rendered aid because authorities believed he consumed a large quantity of drugs while he had been barricaded inside the garage.
Carter was transported to a local hospital, and after he was medically cleared, he was taken to the Sacramento County Main Jail, where he is being held without bail. He faces multiple felony charges, including violating his parole conditions.
