Three London men are facing charges after a Kent Police drone played a pivotal role in locating a stolen luxury car and uncovering a suspected illegal vehicle dismantling operation in Yalding.
Officers were alerted on Thursday, April 10th, after a Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which was taken during a burglary in London, was tracked to the Yalding Hill area thanks to its integrated tracking software.
Unable to spot the vehicle from ground level, a police drone pilot was deployed to the location and within just two minutes, the aerial surveillance successfully pinpointed the missing car. Further inspection revealed the Mercedes was bearing false number plates and was parked outside a building that appeared to house a variety of tools and components stripped from other vehicles, suggesting a potential “chop shop.”
While police were conducting inquiries at the scene, a van arrived carrying three men. Aged 26, 38, and 52, and all hailing from London, they were promptly arrested on suspicion of offences including handling stolen goods and theft of a motor vehicle.
A Kent Police spokesperson confirmed the arrests and stated that the three suspects have since been released on bail pending further investigation into the incident. The discovery highlights the increasing effectiveness of drone technology in assisting law enforcement in locating stolen property and disrupting potential criminal activity.