PRINCETON, W.Va. – A drone was utilized in the search for a suspect that fled from police during a traffic stop Sunday.
According to a press release from the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department, around 1:30 p.m. Deputy M.J. Mikles observed a black sedan traveling at a high rate of speed westbound on Big Laurel Highway (Rt. 460).
Mikles attempted to make a traffic stop on Courthouse Road, but the driver evaded the stop and continued driving onto Juno Court.
Once the vehicle came to a stop on Juno Court, a male driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot.
At this time, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department and West Virginia State Police K9 units were deployed to search for the suspect who was later identified as Ricky Dalton of Virginia.
Members of the Bluestone Valley Volunteer Fire Department were contacted about using their drone.
The drone was able to locate Dalton who was hiding in a wooded area between Mountain View Drive and Appletree Lane. Deputies took the suspect into custody after locating him.
Dalton was transported to Southern Regional Jail where he is awaiting arraignment.
Copyright 2025 WVVA. All rights reserved.