Mesa police use helicopter to locate man who was exposing himself

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Earlier this month, Mesa Police used this technology to track down a fugitive who had been exposing himself to people at Skyline Park in east Mesa on January 15. The arrest, under the cover of night, is an example of how police are blending ground efforts with cutting-edge technology to protect the community.

That night, police quickly identified their suspect, a white male wearing blue shorts and no shirt. As the fugitive fled the scene, he attempted to evade capture by hiding in the residential area near the park.

The Mesa Police helicopter, equipped with an infrared camera, was deployed to provide a bird’s-eye view of the search. Despite the dark conditions, the thermal technology allowed officers to track the man’s movements by detecting heat sources.

The fugitive’s belief that he could outsmart the police was short-lived. His heat signature remained visible to the infrared cameras despite trying to hide in a trash can. Moments later, officers on the ground moved in and took him into custody.

“He came in through the backyard from our neighbor's fence over here, and probably checked the trash cans and saw that the recycler was full and jumped in the regular trash can, which was empty, and thought he had it. But unfortunately, all he did was trap himself," said Enrique, the owner of the home where the fugitive attempted to hide.

Body camera footage from the arrest shows officers swiftly removing the suspect from his hiding spot, securing him, and preventing any further escape.

Mesa Police are crediting their air support as a critical tool in ensuring public safety. By using the helicopter's infrared cameras, officers were able to get a comprehensive view of the area, spot potential hiding places, and track the suspect’s movements, all while ground units moved in to make the arrest.

“To have the air units come in and be able to give you a big picture of the houses in the area, the routes that the person is taking. Are they hiding under a carport? Are they under a car? Things like that we wouldn't normally be able to see is extremely beneficial to help us get the person," Mesa Police Detective Brandi Myers said.