Drone helps capture wanted sex offender in Stratmoor Valley

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The El Paso County Sheriff's Office (EPSO) arrested a 39-year-old male after an intelligence-led operation in Stratmoor Valley.

EPSO says around 7:33 a.m. on July 24, they worked alongside the Intelligence-Based Operations Center (IBOC) to deploy a drone to search for a wanted fugitive believed to be at a home in the 1200 block of Maxwell Street.

According to deputies, they located a vehicle associated with 39-year-old Joseph Pietsch, who was wanted on multiple warrants, including a felony charge for failure to register as a sex offender and several misdemeanor failure-to-appear warrants.

IBOC maintained an aerial view of the residence and notified EPSO when Pietsch left the home around 8 a.m. and drove away, law enforcement says.

EPSO says, with the help of IBOC, they conducted a non-contact vehicle block, and the suspect was arrested.

Pietsch was booked on outstanding warrants as well as an additional charge for possession of a controlled substance, according to law enforcement.

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