Oklahoma City Police Use Drones To Catch Violent Suspect

Oklahoma City police released new drone video that they said helped them arrest a violent suspect.

Police reports stated an officer tried to pull over Solomon Hall last month near NW 63rd and Lake Hefner Parkway.

The report said he wouldn't stop and lead the officer on a pursuit and almost hit other drivers on the road.

"(It's a) Dangerous type of pursuit, any time we are chasing a vehicle like that obviously we try to avoid the tragic situations," said Oklahoma City police Master Sgt. Gary Knight. "Those reach pretty high speeds and there's some dangerous driving involved."

The report said Hall crashed after hitting a curb and ran away on foot. Hall ran into a neighborhood near NW 63rd and Independence.

"(He) Started running through backyards, (and) ultimately hiding underneath a porch," said Knight.

Police used a drone and a K-9 to track him down. Shown in one body camera video, the dog goes under the porch, as Hall was taken into custody.

This isn't the first time the department has used a drone to find a suspect.

Some city councilors raised questions about drone use after a suspect was arrested following a pursuit earlier this year. News 9 reached out to them following this arrest, but they weren't able to comment Tuesday.

However, police said these tools can help keep the public safe.

"This was a dangerous person on the loose that we utilized a drone and a K-9 to a successful end by getting him into custody," said Knight. 

Police said Hall was arrested on complaints of endangering others while eluding police and a felon in possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. 

Knight said Hall has a history of shooting at police and is now being held in the Oklahoma County Detention Center.