Police use drone to pull knife from suspect’s hand in first-of-its-kind operation

Jun 25, 2026 | technology and crime

Austin Carter, 30, had his knife taken from him by a drone with a powerful magnet attached. A convicted sex offender, he was then taken into custody because of a parole violation. There was also a K9 robot used in the operation.

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In what they called a “first in the nation,” a California sheriff’s office used a drone equipped with a magnet to disarm a wanted man, pulling a knife from his hand without risking the life of a single officer.

On Wednesday, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office posted a video to social media showing how its officers used emerging technology to arrest 30-year-old Austin Carter, who was holed up inside his filthy home.

Carter was being pursued by law enforcement for violating his parole. According to the sheriff’s office, he is a registered sex offender who has a lengthy criminal history. On Thursday, a SWAT team arrived at Carter’s home to apprehend him, according to the sheriff’s office. . . .

James Cirrone, “California deputies use magnet-equipped drone to disarm knife-wielding sex offender hidden in garage,” Fox News, June 24, 2026.

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