Police arrested two men on Saturday night for allegedly operating a drone dangerously close to Logan International Airport in Boston, raising serious aviation safety concerns.
Robert Duffy, 42, of Charlestown and Jeremy Folcik, 32, of Bridgewater were apprehended on Long Island in Boston Harbor after police detected unauthorized drone activity near the airport's airspace around 4:30 PM local time.
Using advanced tracking technology, authorities pinpointed the drone's location and coordinated a response involving multiple agencies, including Homeland Security, Massachusetts State Police, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Officers found three individuals inside a decommissioned health campus on the island. When police approached, the suspects attempted to flee on foot. While Duffy and Folcik were caught, a third suspect escaped by boat and remains at large.
Police discovered a drone in a backpack carried by Duffy during the arrest. Both men face trespassing charges, with additional fines and charges possible due to the hazardous nature of the drone operation near active airport airspace.
The incident comes amid numerous drone sightings across the northeastern United States in recent weeks, though authorities have not indicated any connection to this case. The increase in drone activity has prompted officials to enhance monitoring and detection systems, particularly around sensitive areas like airports.
Both suspects are scheduled for arraignment at Dorchester District Court. The investigation continues as authorities search for the third suspect who fled the scene.