El Cajon, CA - On August 25, 2025, at approximately 3:06 p.m., Heartland Fire & Rescue responded to a rooftop structure fire at a commercial building located at 8800 Grossmont Blvd., La Mesa. Construction materials had caught fire, prompting a coordinated emergency response. Heartland Fire & Rescue requested assistance from the El Cajon Police Department’s Drone as First Responder Program. An El Cajon Police Department drone was deployed to provide real-time aerial visuals of the scene, delivering critical information about the fire’s location and spread. This aerial perspective played a key role in supporting strategic firefighting efforts.

While the fire response was ongoing, at around 3:50 p.m., officers received a report from the Vans store at 882 N. Second St., El Cajon, regarding a man who had stolen a pair of shoes. Within minutes, a second drone from the El Cajon Police Department arrived on the scene and located the suspect nearby. The drone operator guided ground officers to the individual, who was detained without incident. The suspect was found wearing the stolen shoes and was positively identified by store employees. A records check revealed multiple prior theft convictions, qualifying him for booking under California’s Proposition 36, which targets repeat offenders.

These two incidents underscore the tremendous value of the El Cajon Police Department’s drone program in enhancing public safety. Whether aiding in the swift apprehension of criminals or supporting firefighting operations, drone technology continues to prove its effectiveness in protecting the community and assisting first responders.

Completed by:

Lt. Nick Sprecco

El Cajon Police Department - PIO

Reviewed by:

Lt. Joe Crawford

El Cajon Police Department

Metropolitan Division