Sheriff’s Drone Team Helps Capture Two Suspects in Burglary

The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office used its newly formed drone team to help arrest two suspects following a late-night burglary at the Viper Mine facility in rural Williamsville on September 18, 2025. Deputies were dispatched to the 8100 block of East Main around 11:00 p.m. after receiving a report of a possible break-in. When they arrived, a department drone was deployed to search the property and quickly detected an open door and voices coming from inside a building.

As deputies entered, they heard glass breaking and saw one suspect fleeing through a broken window. Inside the structure, officers apprehended 30-year-old Maria Genovese of Springfield without incident. Guided by the drone operator, deputies then located a second suspect, 53-year-old Daniel Gregg Jr., also of Springfield, hiding in a nearby tree line. Gregg, who suffered arm lacerations while fleeing, was treated at the scene before being transported to jail.

Investigators recovered burglary tools inside the building and reported extensive damage to the electrical wiring and plumbing system, with repairs estimated at about $80,000. Both Genovese and Gregg were booked on charges of burglary, criminal damage to property over $10,000, and possession of burglary tools.

Sheriff Paula Crouch noted that the drone team, which began operations earlier this month with four specially trained deputies, has already proven to be an invaluable resource. “The drones allow our deputies to work more safely and effectively,” Crouch said. “By embracing technology, we are giving our team the resources to protect the community and respond to situations in ways that were not possible before. Criminals need to understand that we will use every tool available to track them down and hold them accountable.”

This marks the second successful mission for the Sheriff’s Office drone program, which was instrumental in locating a missing person on September 12. A video of the Viper Mine operation, showing the drone tracking the suspect and guiding deputies to the arrest, is available for public viewing at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1M0a-DB8pY&feature=youtu.be.