Authorities have arrested two individuals following a hazardous drone operation near Logan International Airport. Robert Duffy, 42, and Jeremy Folcik, 32, were apprehended on Long Island, a part of the Boston Harbor Islands, on Saturday evening. The arrests stem from a police investigation after a drone was detected operating dangerously close to the airport’s airspace, prompting concerns over public safety.
According to law enforcement, the incident happened around 4:30 PM local time. Officers traced the location of the drone to a decommissioned health campus on Long Island where three individuals tried to run away. While Duffy and Folcik were apprehended, the third suspect reportedly escaped through a small vessel and is still at large. A drone was found in Duffy’s backpack.
The duo is to face charges of trespassing; however, other fines and counts with regard to the operation of the drone are likely to emerge. Counter-terrorism agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation supported the investigation because the incident involved the proximity of a drone to Logan International Airport.
The arrests come amidst a rise in drone sightings across the U.S. Northeast, although the authorities have not indicated any connection between these incidents. There have been recent sightings reported in states such as New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, with New Jersey reporting the highest concentration.
Federal officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, said there is no national or public safety threat from the drones. Still, as sightings continue to rise, so are calls for stiffer regulations. Mayorkas attributed some of the increased reports to changes in federal laws that allow drone operations at night.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has urged the state to gain more powers to tackle drone activity after an incident forced Stewart Airfield to close for a time on Friday. Federal authorities are deploying drone detection systems to both New York and New Jersey to support investigations.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is pushing for New Jersey to use cutting-edge technology to address growing concerns, as federal and state agencies work together to ensure the safety of public skies over the United States.
