Police drone helps Suffolk officers collar alleged burglar in Lindenhurst

A suspect casually fleeing a burglary scene at a Lindenhurst home was tracked down and arrested earlier this week with an assist from eyes in the sky — a police drone deployed by Suffolk police.

The arrest of Isaias Miranda, 26, occurred after police were called to a residential burglary on North Richmond Avenue. They launched the drone and took information from witnesses.

The drone was able to track and locate Miranda on nearby North Kings Avenue.

Police said the officers arrived at the scene at 7 p.m. and Miranda was arrested at 7:42 p.m.

Video from the drone shows a man leaving the property and crossing nearby Long Island Rail Road tracks, walking down an embankment and then leaving the area through a protective gate along the railroad right of way.

Video released by police shows officers arresting Miranda following a short foot pursuit.

Miranda was charged with second-degree burglary and possession of burglar’s tools.

Suffolk officials unveiled their Drones as First Responders program in October, which they said would be used to help police with immediate information from crime scenes, traffic accidents and searches for missing people, all in an effort to speed up response times to emergencies.

The program cost $600,000 to start with funds coming from a state grant. Police could not provide any new information Thursday on the state of the program.

Nassau has a similar initiative.

Court records show Miranda was arraigned Tuesday in First District Court in Central Islip, entering a not guilty plea to both counts.

A temporary order of protection was issued with bail set at $750,000 partially secured bond, $225,000 insured bond or $60,000 cash bail.

Newsday's Michael O'Keeffe contributed to this story.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press, Society of the Silurians and National Headliner Awards for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing. He is the author of “Swee'pea,” about New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. His debut crime novel, “For Nothing Is Hidden,” rooted in 1950s Long Island, was released in October 2025.