Thurston deputies use drone in arrest of 86-year-old accused of DV incident
An 86-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of multiple crimes on Monday after deputies responded to a domestic violence incident involving a firearm, Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders said in a social media post.
Around 5 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 18500 block of Tapaderos Street Southeast in Yelm.
The suspect, who Sanders said is believed to suffer from dementia, allegedly pointed a firearm at the victim before fleeing from the residence.
“It was also reported that the residence had numerous guns,” said Sanders in his post.
Deputies arrived and set up a perimeter around the house and attempted to make contact by phone, but with no success, he said.
They then used what Sanders described as a “first person view-style drone,” and were able to get “eyes on the suspect and establish that they were no longer armed,” he said.
A search warrant was obtained to enter the home to make an arrest and seize firearms. The suspect was detained without incident, but firearms were observed throughout the home, Sanders said.
Court records show investigators identified two weapons immediately, but later removed 13 additional firearms.
The man was arrested on suspicion of felony harassment and first-degree assault/domestic violence, Thurston County jail information shows.
What court records show
The 86-year-old suspect appeared in Thurston County Superior Court on Tuesday. The court found probable cause for the crimes of second-degree assault/domestic violence and felony harassment/threat to kill/domestic violence.
The man must be evaluated by a designated crisis responder before he is released, according to the court records. He also can’t reside at the Yelm address, among other conditions.
His arraignment is set for 10 a.m. Jan. 13.
This story was originally published January 6, 2026 at 8:53 AM.
