Lantana Cops Go High Tech To Nab Palm Beach County Man.
BY: 24/7 CRIME DESK | BocaNewsNow.com
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Lantana Police used a drone to chase and catch a burglary suspect wanted in multiple Palm Beach County jurisdictions. That suspect, Patrick Fontaine, is now in custody and being held on nearly 20 charges. And note to would-be criminals: the Lantana Police Department is now officially known as a high-tech department that will catch, find, and track you on the ground and in the air.
It all started when a Lantana resident saw someone suspiciously approaching his parked car. That resident called police, who immediately dispatched officers and a drone operator. The police report, obtained by BocaNewsNow.com, highlights what happened next. We are publishing sections below:
“On 11/26/2024 at approximately 0208 hrs, I Ofc Tuang responded to the area of 700-blk N Atlantic Dr in reference to a suspicious person. Upon arrival, I made contact with (the reporting victim) who advised that he observed a subject wearing long pants with a grey hoodie walking up to his driveway, close to his parked vehicle. Fearing that he was going to break into his vehicle, (the alleged victim) confronted the subject who immediately ran northbound on N Atlantic Dr. Let it be known, the subject’s description matched the description of the suspect who committed multiple vehicle burglaries on S Atlantic Dr, on 11/24/2024. This subject also matched a suspect that committed multiple vehicle burglaries in Manalapan on 11/24/2024 as well.
The responding units canvassed the area in attempt to make contact with the subject. perimeter was also established. It should be known that N Atlantic Dr is a dead-end road surrounded by water. The suspect was observed traveling northbound towards the dead end. I subsequently responded to the 400-blk E Ocean Ave and deployed the department issued Drone and assisted officers in locating the subject. I then observed (through drone) a subject inside a parked vehicle of 1125 N Atlantic Dr with the door opened a a subject searching the vehicle with a flashlight. I then observed the subject exitin the vehicle, and walking southbound on N Atlantic Drive. This was relayed through radio communication to other Officers.
I then lost the subject for a brief moment but regained visual on the subject when (another officerf) observed him around 1107 N Atlantic Dr. I then observed the subject (through the drone) at the southeast corner of the gated residence. I relayed the subject’s location over the radio. Subject was at this location for a brief period of time.
I then observed subject running to the backyard of 1107 N Atlantic Dr and jumping the fence into 1105 N Atlantic Dr residence. The subject then ran southbound toward 1101 N Atlantic Dr and into 1025 N Atlantic Dr which is a vacant lot. Subject was then observed running back into the backyard of 1101 N Atlantic Dr and hid behind the fenced in area around the pool equipment. The subject then ran back into the backyard of 1105 N Atlantic Dr where Lantana Police Officers arrested him without incident. Subject was identified as Patrick Fontaine (DOB 03/18/82).
Probable cause exits to charge Patrick Fontaine with vehicle burglary, theft, possession of burglary tools and possession of schedule IV controlled substance.”
Fontaine, 42, is now charged with twelve counts of burglary, three counts of larceny, and one count of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. He lists an apartment on H Street in Lake Worth as his home address.
