UAS VIDEO: Suspect Says He Hates Drones. Here's why.

Wanted Convicted Felon Runs into the Night to Evade Arrest, but UAS with Infrared Camera Tracks Every Move - Suspect Says He Hates Drones

Spokane Valley Deputies, attempting to locate a convicted felon with an active felony warrant for his arrest and a history of trying to evade law enforcement, launched a UAS (Unmanned Aerial System, AKA: drone) to help track the suspect in the darkness if he chose to run. As predicted, the suspect fled on foot, running through fields and jumping fences. Although it was very dark, with little light in the area, the UAS operator used the drone's infrared camera to easily track the suspect. He provided the suspect's location in real time as Deputies closed in and found him hiding on the back porch of a nearby residence. The suspect was arrested and booked into jail for his felony warrant and a new charge of Resisting Arrest.
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On September 10, 2025, at approximately 1:15 am, after receiving information that a convicted felon, 37-year-old Tyler S. Keener, had an active felony warrant for his arrest and was back at a residence in the 1000 block of N. Fox Road, Spokane Valley Deputies arrived at the location to contact and arrest him.

Deputies were aware that Keener had been known to be armed, had a lengthy criminal history, a propensity to flee from law enforcement, and that he had an active Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) Escape Community Custody arrest warrant (original charge: Attempt to Elude a Police Vehicle). They, including one of whom is a UAS Operator, approached the house.

A Deputy noticed a male suspect walk away from the home and go east toward a field. With the UAS now high above, the Deputy, utilizing its infrared camera system, quickly located the suspect and began tracking him.

With real-time location information provided by the Deputy operating the UAS, pursuing Deputies closed in on Keener’s location despite his continued attempts to hide and evade them.

Keener was observed going into the backyard of a residence in the 11800 block of E. Boone Avenue before disappearing under the roof of a covered deck. The homeowner contacted the Deputies and advised that no one had entered her home.

Suddenly, a Deputy noticed Keener emerge from the deck where he had been hiding. He was given commands which he eventually followed and was taken into custody.

Deputies noted Keener was sweating profusely, more than an average person under the same conditions. He also sporadically twitched and showed other indicators of being under the influence of a controlled substance, possibly Methamphetamine.

After being advised of his rights, Keener told Deputies he ran because he was afraid and didn’t want to go back to jail. Keener also made unsolicited comments that he hated drones and that he would have gotten away if Deputies hadn't had one.

Keener was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for his felony DOC warrant and a new charge of Resisting Arrest. He is also being held on a previous but unrelated charge of Organized Retail Theft.