The Washington County Sheriff’s Office announced on Mar. 16 that deputies used a Drone as First Responder (DFR) to help locate and arrest a robbery suspect following an incident at the Target store on SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway in Beaverton.
The use of drone technology played a key role in tracking the suspect, demonstrating how law enforcement is incorporating new tools to assist with public safety and response times.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at 2:38 p.m. on March 14 after receiving a report from Target’s loss prevention team that a man wearing a black jacket and red pants had stolen items and pushed past security. The DFR team quickly deployed, locating the suspect near SW Western Avenue as he attempted to board a TriMet bus. Deputies intercepted the bus while the drone provided overhead surveillance.
The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Caeden Backanen of Grants Pass, was arrested without further incident. He was booked into the Washington County Jail on charges of third-degree robbery, second-degree theft, and an outstanding Multnomah County warrant for theft.
Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the incident but has not yet spoken with deputies to contact non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 and reference case number 50-26-3551.
The Sheriff’s Office continues to encourage community members to report information that may assist ongoing investigations.
