Springboro police use drone camera to help catch three armed suspects

Police cite trend of vehicle thefts, urge residents to lock vehicles and keep items out of view.

Credit: Springboro Police Department

Local News
By Jen Balduf – Staff Writer
May 7, 2025
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Springboro police used a camera-equipped drone early Wednesday to catch armed suspects after a resident’s car alarm went off, according to the department, which posted video of the incident.

Responding officers initially did not find anyone, but a drone pilot flew over the area and in a northern neighborhood spotted multiple suspects, who later were seen running through yards after they noticed a marked police cruiser, according to a social media post by the Springboro Police Department.

Agencies from Montgomery County also responded because the suspects were seen running north, toward their jurisdiction.

Springboro officers apprehended three suspects, each in possession of loaded handguns, police said. One drone video shows a Springboro officer pull a handgun from a juvenile. Another armed suspect was found hiding on a deck of a residence.

“These efforts highlight the importance of the new police technology we have adopted and how vital it can be in combatting these ongoing crime sprees,” the post read.

Details on the people arrested and what counts they may be charged with were not available Wednesday.

Springboro, along with many law enforcement agencies, have been dealing with multiple groups of people stealing vehicles or items from vehicles.

The department commended the resident who alerted them to the suspicious activity, while also reminding people to lock their vehicles and to not leave valuables in sight.

A Springboro officer finds a loaded firearm (circled in red) after the department's drone leads police to three armed suspects early Wednesday, May 7, 2025. CONTRIBUTED

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About the Author

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Jen Roppel Balduf covers the communities of Kettering, Oakwood and northern Warren County, including Springboro and Franklin. She earned a bachelor of science in journalism degree from Ohio University.