Braidwood, IL – A traffic stop in Braidwood escalated into an armed standoff Monday morning after a motorist allegedly fled police and refused to exit his vehicle for several minutes, prompting officers to deploy a drone before making an arrest.
According to the Braidwood Police Department, officers attempted to stop a GMC Yukon around 6:05 a.m. Monday after discovering the vehicle had a suspended registration. The driver, identified as David E. Brandon of Wilmington, allegedly ignored emergency lights and sirens and continued westbound on Kennedy Road from Route 129 before stopping in a parking lot in the 500 block of West Kennedy Road.
Police said officers used their squad car public address system to order Brandon out of the vehicle at approximately 6:07 a.m., but he failed to comply. Minutes into the standoff, Brandon allegedly began yelling at officers through the driver’s window.
At 6:14 a.m., officers deployed a department drone, identified as Comet 1, which illuminated the vehicle and issued commands through its onboard speaker. Drone footage reportedly showed Brandon raising his tinted window and retrieving a loaded .32-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver from his pocket before placing it in the center console.
When Brandon eventually exited the vehicle, police said he refused commands and resisted arrest. Officers deployed a Taser, temporarily incapacitating him before taking him into custody. A search of the vehicle recovered the revolver and another loaded handgun, police said.
Brandon was booked on charges including Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Resisting or Obstructing a Police Officer, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude an Officer, and Operating a Motor Vehicle With a Suspended Registration. He was later released with a Notice to Appear under Illinois’ no-cash bail law.
Police said the drone deployment likely saved lives, noting Brandon allegedly remained armed and noncompliant until the drone intervention.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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