Jennifer Schultz
WMAL.com
Washington — (WMAL) A College Park man has been arrested after he was caught flying a drone in restricted airspace in the area of the five-alarm fire in the city Monday.
Prince George’s County Police charged 24-year-old Trevon Miller of Baltimore Avenue with interfering with police and fire response, along with reckless endangerment. Police detectives will be consulting the Federal Aviation Administration for additional criminal charges.
Authorities said in a news release that at 12:30 p.m. a police helicopter was flying to assist firefighters as they worked to contain the massive fire. While assisting, Miller flew his privately-owned drone into the direct flight path of the helicopter. The pilot performed evasive maneuvers to prevent a collision. Miller was located and arrested by officers on the ground soon after.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration there are rules citizens must follow to operate drone devices inside of a restricted airspace, which includes the National Capital Region.
Police are asking anyone who observes suspicious or dangerous drone use to call 911.
Copyright 2017 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (PHOTO: Prince George’s Police Department)
