2 men accused of flying drone too close to Boston’s Logan Airport

BOSTON — Two Massachusetts men are accused of flying a drone too close to Logan International Airport on Saturday, authorities said.

Robert Duffy, 42, of Charlestown, and Jeremy Folcik, 32, of Bridgewater, are facing trespassing charges after Boston police said they were caught flying drones on Boston Harbor’s Long Island, WFXT reported.

On Saturday afternoon, a Boston police officer detected an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operating “dangerously close” to the airport, officials said.

Police detected the drone flying close to Logan Airport’s airspace at approximately 4:30 p.m. ET, according to WFXT. The Boston Police Department worked with Homeland Security, the Massachusetts State Police, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Federal Communications Commission and Logan Airport Air Traffic Control. The officials discovered three people inside the decommissioned Long Island Health Campus, the television station reported.

The three suspects fled, but Duffy and Folcik were apprehended, police said. A drone was found in Duffy’s backpack, WFXT reported.

Boston police said the third suspect likely escaped from the island in a small boat.

Duffy and Folcik will be arraigned in Dorchester District Court on trespassing charges, according to the television station. They could face more charges, police said.

“The Boston Police Department reminds recreational drone operators of the importance of adhering to Federal Aviation Administration safety guidelines,” Boston police said in a statement. “Operators are prohibited from flying drones over people or vehicles and must be aware of airspace restrictions. Even small drones pose significant risks, including the potential for catastrophic damage to airplanes and helicopters. Near-collisions can cause pilots to veer off course, putting lives and property at risk.”

CNN reported that 791,597 drones are registered with the FAA, almost evenly divided between commercial and recreational use. They are used in various industries, including photography, agriculture and law enforcement, the cable news outlet reported.

© 2024 Cox Media Group