Drone Detects Fleeing Burglar's Hiding Spot After He Shot Woman In Her Home: HCSO

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A 31-year-old North East man has been sentenced for his role in a burglary and shooting that happened at a home in Bel Air.

On April 10 around 5:52 a.m., Harford County sheriff's deputies were called to a home for a report of a shooting and burglary. The victim told police she'd been shot in the rear end as the suspect ran from the home. A sheriff's office drone operator launched his drone to help with the search when emergency workers spied a person matching the suspect's description running across Belair Road, the sheriff's office said. The drone picked up the person running and tracked him to his hiding spot under a tree where sheriff's deputies and the Maryland State Police were able to apprehend the suspect.

The suspect, later identified as Joshua Brewster, was found with a loaded .32 caliber revolver with two fired casings. A DNA analysis of the handgun matched the genetic profile of the defendant.

Brewster pleaded guilty last month to first-degree assault, first-degree burglary and use of a handgun in commission of a crime of violence. He will be sentenced Oct. 17 to 55 years in prison, suspect all but 25 years, the first five years without the possibility of parole due to the plea agreement. Brewster also will be subject to three years of probationary supervision upon his release.

“Every citizen in this community deserves to feel safe in their home. The violation of coming into someone’s residence without permission and further committing an act of violence is simply something that will not be tolerated. I commend Assistant State’s Attorney Cynthia Banks for the work that she did to secure this plea and significant sentence at the top of the Maryland Sentencing Guidelines. Our team will continue working hard to hold criminals accountable and keep this community safe," said State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey.