Fairfax County’s Police Department is touting another successful drone operation. Officers have charged Larry Mudd, 35, of Reston, for peeping into occupied dwellings. Mudd was quickly apprehended in part because FCPD dispatched a drone, which was on scene in 38 seconds.
On March 13, a victim reported seeing an unknown man peering through her bedroom window in the 12000 block of Waterside View Drive in Reston. Through drone footage, detectives quickly located Mudd peeping through windows in other homes. Responding patrol officers were directed to his location and he was taken into custody.
FCPD officials briefed the county on the success of its “Drone as First Responder” program at a February 24 public safety meeting. Assistant Police Chief Bob Blakely said that the county has been operating a standalone drone program for several years. He said the department has expanded the initiative into “a whole public safety program.”
Mudd was charged with three counts of peeping into an occupied dwelling. He was released on a personal recognizance bond.
Detectives do not believe Mudd is involved in the ongoing nude burglary investigations in Centreville.
FCPD is asking anyone with information or who believes they may have been the victim of a crime involving Mudd to call the Reston Police Station at 703-478-0904. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online or by phone at 1-866-411-8477.
Feature image courtesy Fairfax County Police Department