Video: Calif. Sheriff's Drone, K-9 Find 2 Fleeing Suspects in Attic

A Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office drone and K-9 helped deputies locate and arrest two men hiding in an attic space after one fled a traffic stop and ran back to an Empire residence.

By Dean J. Condoleo

Source The Modesto Bee

April 14, 2026

2 min read

What to know

Stanislaus County sheriff’s deputies arrested two men, including a parolee at large, after finding them hiding in an attic at a home in Empire following a surveillance operation.
Deputies used a drone and a K-9 to track and locate the men after one fled a traffic stop and ran back to the residence.
Both men were taken into custody and booked on multiple charges, with one held without bail and the other assigned bail of $151,500.

Stanislaus County deputies pull suspect from attic — A drone-assisted search ended with two arrests after Stanislaus County, CA, sheriff’s deputies found a parolee and another suspect hiding inside an attic during a warrant operation in Empire earlier this month.

Authorities arrested two men — including a parolee at large — after tracking them to a home in Empire where they were hiding in an attic, according to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office.

The arrests happened April 3 during a surveillance operation by the Sheriff’s Office Community Resource Unit.

Deputies were attempting to locate Jimmy Gill, 37, who was wanted as a parolee at large. During the operation, deputies saw Ricky Gill, 39, leave the residence. Authorities said Ricky Gill had active warrants.

A traffic stop was initiated a short distance away, but Ricky Gill fled on foot from the passenger side of the vehicle, according to authorities.

A sheriff’s drone tracked him from the air as he ran back to the residence, officials said.

Deputies then surrounded the home and issued multiple announcements ordering anyone inside to come out. After receiving no response, deputies entered and searched the residence.

Authorities identified an attic space as an area needing further inspection. Using a drone and a sheriff’s K-9, deputies searched the attic and located both men hiding, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Ricky Gill was apprehended with the assistance of a K-9. Jimmy Gill was found concealed in insulation inside the attic, authorities said.

Both men were taken into custody.

Jimmy Gill was booked on multiple charges, including felony possession of hard drugs with prior convictions, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of parole, according to authorities. He was held without bail.

Ricky Gill was booked on charges including delaying or obstructing a peace officer, as well as warrants related to probation violation, domestic violence restraining order violation, domestic battery and vandalism, authorities said. His bail was set at $151,500.

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