Teen steals thousands, tries fleeing in Uber, US cops say. Neighbour’s drone thwarts him

After officers spoke with a neighbour while canvassing the area, the man told police he flew his drone and spotted the person hiding in a “green belt area behind” a court before entering what looked like a gray Uber sedan, according to police. — Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

A teen accused of stealing US$30,000 (RM138,435) in cash and property from a California home was arrested after a drone spotted him fleeing in an Uber, police said.

A Hercules resident called to report a break-in shortly before 6.30am on Sunday, May 28, the city’s police department said in a May 30 Facebook post.

Surveillance video showed a person entering the back of the home by shattering a glass door, police said. Officers searched the home but didn’t find a suspect.

The resident told officers about US$30,000 (RM138,435) in cash and property had been stolen from the home, according to police.

After officers spoke with a neighbour while canvassing the area, the man told police he flew his drone and spotted the person hiding in a “green belt area behind” a court before entering what looked like a gray Uber sedan, according to police.

Police said they pulled over a “Gray Honda Accord with Uber logos in the window” nearby.

After the teen left the car, police said they found US$30,000 (RM138,435) in cash and property on the floor where he was seated.

The Texas teen was taken into custody, police said.

Hercules is about 25 miles northeast of San Francisco. – The Charlotte Observer/Tribune News Service