A British Airways flight departs Logan international airport in January 2018. On Sunday, Boston Police said two men were arrested for flying a drone close to the airport’s airspace the night prior. File Photo by John Cetrino/EPA-EFE
Dec. 15 (UPI) — Boston authorities on Saturday night arrested two men accused of flying a drone dangerously close to Logan International Airport, while a third suspect remains at large.
The men — identified as Robert Duffy, 42, and Jeremy Folcik, 32 — were taken into custody on Long Island by the Boston Police Harbor Patrol Unit shortly before 10:30 p.m. EDT.
The men have been charged with trespassing, according to a Sunday statement from Boston Police, which added that additional charges and fines may follow.
Boston Police described the alleged crime as “hazardous drone operation near Logan Airport’s airspace.”
The arrests were made after a Boston Police officer specializing in real-time crime surveillance detected a drone operating close to Long International Airport at about 4:30 p.m. and was able to pinpoint its operator’s location on Long Island, which is part of the Boston Harbor Islands.
Boston Police officers deployed to Long Island located three suspects within the decommissioned Long Island Health Campus, who attempted to flee on foot.
A search continues for a third suspect who fled the scene in what Boston Police described as “a small vessel.”
Duffy, who was allegedly found in possession of a backpack containing a drone, and Folcik are to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court, according to authorities.
The incident comes amid heightened concern following weeks of mysterious drone sightings over the Eastern United States, especially New Jersey.
Late last week, the White House, FBI and Department of Homeland Security said there is no evidence that indicates the sightings pose a national or public security risk. Many also appear to be lawfully operated manned aircraft, the officials said.