MCP Drone Assists Officers in Arrest of Two Auto Theft Suspects

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Gaithersburg, MD – Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 1st District Special Assignment Team (SAT) have arrested two juvenile males, following the discovery of a stolen vehicle and a handgun during a theft-from-auto enforcement detail.

On Thursday, December 4, 2025, at approximately 3:30 a.m., 1st District SAT officers were conducting proactive theft-from-auto enforcement detail along the Norbeck Road corridor, spanning areas within the 1st and 4th Districts. This proactive operation was initiated in response to a recent increase in thefts from vehicles in the area, which involved Kia and Hyundai vehicles being used as getaway cars.

During the detail, a 1st District SAT officer observed two Hyundai sedans traveling eastbound on Norbeck Road and appearing to follow one another. Officers began surveillance of the vehicles and followed them into the Gaithersburg area, where both vehicles parked within a residential neighborhood on Gloria Way.

While monitoring the situation, officers confirmed that one of the Hyundais was reported stolen. Patrol officers were then dispatched to the registered owner’s residence of the second Hyundai, where it was determined that vehicle had also been stolen overnight.

A 1st District SAT officer, who is also a decentralized Air Support Unit pilot, deployed a drone to assist officers by providing an aerial perspective from a safe distance.

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Using the drone, officers observed occupants from both vehicles get out and attempt to open the doors of several parked vehicles over an extended period. The suspects then got into the stolen Hyundais and left the area.

Officers made a traffic stop on one of the Hyundais shortly after. As the occupants were taken into custody, officers located a loaded Glock 19 9mm handgun in the waistband of one of the suspects. Further investigation revealed the firearm had an obliterated serial number and had previously been reported stolen.

One of the juveniles was transported to the Central Processing Unit, where he was charged as an adult with theft over $1500, illegal possession of a handgun and related charges. He has since been released.

The other juvenile was charged with theft over $1500 and related charges. He has been released to the custody of his parents.

Read the original article at mcpd