On Thursday, January 8, deputies from Lawrence County successfully apprehended a wanted individual who had fled into a wooded area in an attempt to evade arrest. The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Joshua Long, was being sought for a probation violation linked to a 2019 conviction for methamphetamine-related offenses.
As deputies approached to serve the warrant, Long made a run for it, disappearing into the nearby forest. Faced with challenging visibility conditions on the ground, the law enforcement team opted to utilize a drone equipped with thermal imaging technology. This drone, featuring a FLIR camera, is capable of detecting body heat, allowing the deputies to locate individuals even in dense foliage. While Long was not visible through standard video surveillance, the thermal imaging revealed his presence, prompting deputies to describe the sighting as akin to “lighting up like a Christmas tree.”
Upon locating him, deputies found Long concealed beneath a pile of leaves. When instructed to show his hands, he complied, raising both arms. In addition to capturing Long, deputies also discovered methamphetamine in the vicinity of his hiding spot. As a result of the incident, Long now faces multiple charges, including the original probation violation, evading arrest, and possession of methamphetamine. He was subsequently taken into custody without further incident.
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