Conroe Police Use Drones, Flock Cameras to Track Man Accused of Stalking Ex-Girlfriend
CONROE, Texas – A 31-year-old man was arrested Saturday after Conroe police used drones and license plate reader cameras to track him as he allegedly followed an ex-girlfriend who had a protective order against him.
Matthew Young was arrested on a third-degree felony charge of violation of protective order/stalking.
The incident began around 3:30 p.m. Sept. 12 when the woman called 911 and reported that Young was actively following her as she traveled along West Davis Street, also known as Highway 105, near FM 3083.
Conroe police said the department has received multiple reports since June involving Young allegedly harassing and stalking the woman.
The victim had obtained an active protective order against Young. Police said Young had previously been accused of violating the order and was arrested by Conroe officers in July.
As patrol officers responded Saturday, a pilot with the department’s Drone as First Responder program launched a drone to search for Young’s gray Ford Expedition.
Dispatchers stayed on the phone with the woman and directed her to drive to the Conroe Police Department. She eventually lost sight of the Expedition after the vehicle apparently became delayed at a traffic light.
The drone located the Expedition traveling east on West Davis Street and began following it while the pilot relayed its location to officers on the ground.
Police said the drone eventually lost sight of the SUV and continued searching until it needed to return to its dock to recharge.
The pilot then turned to the department’s Flock automated license plate reader system. Records from several cameras helped police determine where the Expedition had most recently traveled.
A second police drone was launched into that area and quickly located the SUV, according to the department. The pilot tracked the Expedition while directing officers toward it.
Officers eventually stopped the vehicle as it traveled south on the Interstate 45 frontage road.
Young was detained and arrested following an investigation.
