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The incident took place in Sullivan County in Barryville, a hamlet of Highland on Monday, Oct. 22.
According to Undersheriff Eric Chaboty of the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, the department was contacted by the New Jersey State Police in regards to a man who was making terroristic threats from a residence located in Barryville.
The man, identified as Joseph Bell, age 47, of Barryville, was threatening to torture and murder his ex-girlfriend while she was actually at the New Jersey State Police Barracks in Sussex attempting to sign a complaint, Chaboty said.
At one point Bell even threatened the New Jersey state trooper who was taking a statement from the victim. The next day the troopers in New Jersey obtained a warrant for the Bell.
Armed with the warrant, sheriff’s deputies went to Bell's residence, but he refused to come out. Neighbors advised that Bell appeared intoxicated, unstable, and could become combative.
The deputies were concerned because Bell had previously been charged in other incidents with assault and resisting arrest, Chaboty said.
At this point, the deputies came up with a plan to deploy a drone that was equipped with a loudspeaker.
“The drone was flown up to the suspect’s open bedroom window on the 2nd floor”, said Chaboty. “Once the drone was in position, the drone operator spoke over the loudspeaker and announced that there was a warrant for the suspect and that he should come out with his hands up. It worked!”
Bell surrendered and was taken into custody peacefully.
Chaboty said that the Sheriff’s Drone Unit is an example of how modern technology can help keep law enforcement officers safe and avoid violent confrontations.
Bell was arraigned and sent to the Sullivan County Jail pending extradition to the state of New Jersey as a fugitive from justice.
Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted at the scene by New York State Police.
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