Cops: Several Arrests, Including College Student Who Flew Drone Over Center City Protests
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Several people were arrested as protesters hit the streets in Center City Wednesday night. That includes a local college student who's in hot water for allegedly flying a drone illegally and dangerously.
The 20-year-old man is a Drexel student and Philadelphia Police say he is in custody and facing charges.
Protests started at 18th and Walnut and authorities were on the scene to monitor that situation. Officials say a police helicopter was above the protest with several news station helicopters and the drone came dangerously close to the choppers, several times.
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Police say the drone even almost collided with the windshield of one of the choppers.
Police were able to find the drone operator, who police say is a 20-year-old Drexel student, on the roof of 2930 Market Street, according to investigators.
They add that the FAA is investigating and could file federal charges.
Authorities say the drone was flying in a reckless manor and should not have been in the air at night, or over 500 feet. Police say the drone was flown as far as the Ben Franklin Bridge and above the Philadelphia International Airport.
Police taking this very seriously saying if the drone could have taken any one of those choppers down if there was a collision.
In total, four people were arrested during the protests.
KYW Newsradio's Tim Jimenez contributed to this report.
