Drone with thermal imaging camera used to find fleeing suspect in Harrison

According to the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, police used a thermal imaging drone in Harrison on Friday to find a wanted man who managed to escape an arrest attempt despite being verbally abused.

Brandon Montae Wheeler, 29, of Harrison and previously of Penn Hills, was arrested on eight outstanding warrants, including two warrants and six active warrants, the sheriff’s office said.

In June, Wheeler led officers from Ross and Franklin Park on a high-speed chase on Interstate 79 North into Cranberry, the sheriff’s office said. The chase ended when Wheeler’s vehicle struck another vehicle near the interchange.

Wheeler fled on foot and escaped.

Investigators learned this week that Wheeler lived at a residence in the 2500 block of Freeport Road in Harrison, the sheriff’s office said. Investigators approached the building and formed a cordon around it.

After there was no response at the apartment door, the investigators forced their way in. Wheeler went out a back window, where officers confronted him, the sheriff’s office said.

Despite being hit by a Taser, Wheeler fled on foot. Investigators pursued him on foot and in vehicles before forming a second cordon around a wooded area on Sylvan Avenue.

Investigators used a drone with a thermal imaging camera and captured a heat signature from Wheeler, the sheriff’s office said. He was found hiding behind a tree near a creek bed, where he was taken into custody without further incident, examined by doctors and transported to the Allegheny County Jail.

In addition to the charges on six active warrants, Wheeler faces new charges of evading arrest, resisting arrest and fleeing to avoid arrest.