Sheriff Larry Smith held a press conference to discuss recent cases the department assisted in. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

The Smith County Sheriff’s Office assisted in two stolen vehicle cases on Sunday, employing drone technology to apprehend two suspects in one incident and successfully resolving a tense standoff with an armed suspect on Highway 80 in another.

At approximately 5:30 p.m., the Canton Police Department pursued a stolen vehicle into Smith County, traveling east on I-20. State troopers deployed spike strips near mile marker 562, bringing the vehicle to a stop at FM 14. The driver and front-seat passenger fled the vehicle on foot, while a backseat passenger surrendered at the scene.

Smith County deputies, including a trained drone operator, were dispatched to the location. According to the sheriff’s office, the suspects fled into a wooded area adjacent to I-20. Shortly after the drone was deployed, one suspect came out of the woods and was arrested. As deputies advanced toward a nearby cell tower, the drone operator provided real-time updates, enabling them to locate and apprehend the second suspect without incident.

“Drones are used pretty frequently for missing persons, Alzheimer’s patients,” said Sheriff Larry Smith. “Interstate 20 is notorious for people bailing out on law enforcement — whether it be DPS, the sheriff’s office, Lindale (Police Department), or the constable’s office out in Lindale. We’ve used drones frequently out there. This time of year works much better than summer because in summer, the foliage on the trees absorbs the heat, making it hard to distinguish heat signatures.”

Smith explained that cooler weather improves the ability to spot individuals or animals at night.

“It takes a lot of practice with a drone to differentiate what you’re seeing because sometimes you’re looking at a green figure,” he said. “You have to figure out if it’s human, a deer, or a cow, based on how it moves or its shape.”

The driver, Dakota Roberts, was taken into custody by the Canton Police Department and charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Passenger James Finan was apprehended by a Texas Game Warden and booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of evading arrest. The backseat passenger was released at the scene.

“Whether it’s on warrants, a traffic stop on the interstate where suspects bail out and go into the woods, or on homicide cases, we’ve used (the drones) in all kinds of situations, and they’ve been very effective and productive for us,” the sheriff said.

According to Smith, the use of drones is not unique to Smith County. Most middle to large agencies have drones, and even some smaller agencies possess at least one. He emphasized their department consistently trains with drones and pointed out that a license is required to operate them. Additionally, they catalog each drone usage throughout the year and submit a report at the end of the fiscal year to ensure precise record-keeping of all drone activities.

“We’ve also assisted other surrounding agencies with our drones as well, and we’re happy to do so,” Smith said.

Later that evening, deputies assisted the Mineola Police Department in a pursuit that began in Van Zandt County and ended on Highway 80 at FM 1255. The suspect, identified as Jacob Swanson, stopped the stolen vehicle but refused to exit. Armed and threatening to commit suicide by cop, Swanson prompted the Mineola Police Department to request assistance from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team due to limited resources.

An on-duty SWAT operator, a hostage negotiator, and two additional deputies responded to the scene. The hostage negotiator engaged with Swanson for approximately 40 minutes without success. SWAT then deployed tear gas and pepper spray into the vehicle. Swanson eventually opened the door and raised his hands but remained inside. Deputies advanced on the vehicle and took Swanson into custody without further incident.

Swanson was booked into the Wood County Jail on charges of evading arrest in a vehicle, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

According to the sheriff’s office, these incidents are good examples of both the dangers law enforcement faces and the importance of inter-agency cooperation in resolving high-risk situations. The successful use of drone technology and less-lethal measures, such as tear gas and pepper spray, highlights how modern policing strategies can help minimize harm and save lives.