WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. — A juvenile suspect who fled into a cornfield following a vehicle pursuit was quickly apprehended thanks to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office’s drone technology on August 6, 2025.

The incident began when the Kinston Police Department initiated a pursuit of a stolen motor vehicle that crossed from Lenoir County into Wayne County. The suspect crashed the stolen vehicle into a ditch shortly after entering Wayne County and fled on foot into a nearby cornfield.

Law enforcement officers established a perimeter around the area and requested assistance from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office Drone Unit. The drone operators were able to locate the hiding suspect within minutes of arriving on scene.

“After being located, the suspect attempted to flee on foot through the field but could not evade the drone,” according to a statement from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. Ground units tracked the drone’s position to monitor the suspect’s movements and successfully took the individual into custody without further incident.

A juvenile female passenger who remained with the crashed vehicle was determined to be a missing person from Pitt County. She was returned to her mother and faces no charges in connection with the incident.

The juvenile suspect was transferred to the Kinston Police Department, which is handling all criminal charges through juvenile petition.

The successful operation highlights the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office’s investment in modern technology to enhance law enforcement capabilities. According to the department, drone technology allows them to “boost efficiency, enhance public safety, optimize resource allocation, and enhance situational awareness by providing real-time aerial surveillance.”