JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is highlighting how its Drone as First Responder program helped officers locate a burglary suspect hiding on a rooftop in the Springfield neighborhood, giving police a view of the situation before taking the man into custody.
The department recently shared footage of the October 8, 2026, incident, demonstrating how drone technology and a newly introduced less-lethal PepperBall launcher were used during the arrest of Curtis Rychaird Parker III, 44.
The incident began when Jacksonville police received a report of a burglary in progress in the Springfield neighborhood.
As officers responded, the department deployed a drone that quickly located Parker on the roof of a building.
With the suspect’s location identified, officers developed a plan and established a perimeter around the building.
Police attempted to persuade Parker to come down from the roof, but he refused.
Officers then used a PepperBall launcher, a less-lethal device that the sheriff’s office described as a new addition to its equipment, to help bring Parker into custody.
Parker was arrested and charged with resisting an officer without violence.
Drone as First Responder Program Gives Officers an Aerial View
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office shared the incident as an example of how its Drone as First Responder technology can assist officers during active calls.
Unlike traditional responses that rely entirely on officers arriving and assessing a scene from the ground, drones can provide an aerial perspective, helping police identify a suspect’s location and evaluate the surrounding area.
In the Springfield incident, the drone located Parker on the rooftop, allowing officers to establish a perimeter and coordinate their response.
The department also highlighted its use of the PepperBall launcher, which provided officers with a less-lethal option when Parker refused to surrender.
“When we pair the latest technology with our officers, we get results and keep your family safe,” the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.
Watch: Jacksonville Police Drone Helps Locate Rooftop Suspect
The footage released by the sheriff’s office shows how the department used its Drone as First Responder program during the incident that led to Parker’s arrest.
Suspect Arrested Again Weeks After Rooftop Incident
Following his October 8 arrest, Parker posted bond and was released from custody.
He was arrested again on October 30, 2026, this time on two counts of battery.
Bond was set at $20,000, and as of November 9, Parker remained in the Duval County Jail awaiting trial.
Parker is a convicted felon whose arrest history includes previous charges involving trespassing, resisting arrest and possession of cocaine.