BOSTON — Two men were arrested late Saturday night after a hazardous drone operation near Logan International Airport led authorities on a pursuit that ended on Long Island, part of the Boston Harbor Islands.
At about 10:22 p.m. on Dec. 14, Boston Police Harbor Patrol Unit officers apprehended Robert Duffy, 42, of Charlestown, and Jeremy Folcik, 32, of Bridgewater, according to a statement from the Boston Police Department.
The arrests followed an incident that began around 4:30 p.m., when a police officer specializing in real-time crime surveillance spotted an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) flying perilously close to Logan’s airspace.
Utilizing advanced monitoring technology, the officer tracked the drone and the operators to Long Island.
In response to the potential threat, the Boston Police coordinated efforts with Homeland Security, the Massachusetts State Police, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and air traffic control at Logan Airport.
Officers found three individuals inside the decommissioned Long Island Health Campus.
Upon contact, the suspects attempted to flee, but Duffy and Folcik were captured.
A drone was later found inside Duffy’s backpack.
The third suspect remains at large, believed to have escaped the island by boat.
A search involving the Massachusetts State Police is ongoing.
Duffy and Folcik were booked at District A-1 and are due to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court on charges of trespassing.
Additional charges may follow pending further investigation.
The Boston Police Department has issued a reminder about the importance of adhering to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety guidelines for drone operation.
They warn that even small drones can cause serious harm, including near-collisions that may force pilots to take evasive action.
For more information on drone safety, the public can visit the FAA Drone Safety Guidelines website.
