The woman was last seen in Peoria, and patrol officers began searching the area for the family car. An AirTag had been placed in the car, according to KPHO-TV, and police "employed technology from the real time crime center" to narrow down the woman's location.
The department then deployed its helicopter, which scanned the Northern Peoria desert. Her vehicle had been hidden after going over a retention wall, and the department says it "would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible, to locate from the ground."
The woman was found, and she was treated for minor injuries.
“This is exactly why we invest in our people, partnerships, and technology,” said Chief Thomas Intrieri in statement. “When someone in our community is in crisis, every second matters. Preservation of Life is at the core of our mission. As a result of the collaboration and strong working relationship we have with the Glendale Police Department and our Team, coupled with the technologies the City of Peoria has invested in, this woman was in an area where she may not have survived the night. I’m incredibly proud of the professionalism and urgency shown by everyone involved. This is what it means to serve with purpose when it matters most.”
