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California deputies have pulled off what they say is a nationwide first — using a drone equipped with a magnet to disarm an armed suspect before moving in to make an arrest.

The dramatic encounter unfolded in Sacramento County earlier this month after deputies tracked down a parolee-at-large wanted on felony charges who was believed to be armed.

Members of the agency’s Special Enforcement Detail, or SWAT unit, surrounded the man’s residence after learning he had been seen carrying a firearm, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.

Negotiators tried unsuccessfully to make contact, prompting deputies to deploy a small drone inside the home to assess the situation.

Footage released by the department shows the drone slowly navigating the dimly lit interior before spotting the suspect sprawled in the corner of a cluttered garage.

The man lay motionless on the floor, one arm tucked beneath his body while the other clutched a knife.

Deputies said it was unclear whether he was unconscious, pretending to be incapacitated or waiting to ambush officers who entered the room.

Rather than risk a close-quarters confrontation, one of the drone operators proposed an unconventional idea.

The deputy attached a powerful magnet to the drone and carefully maneuvered the aircraft toward the suspect’s hand. Video shows the drone hovering inches above the blade before the magnet latches onto the weapon and lifts it free.

Once the knife was safely removed, deputies moved in and took the man into custody without further incident.

“In a nationwide first, a drone was successfully used to disarm an armed suspect, helping bring the incident to a safe resolution,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement released alongside the video.

“Rather than rush into a potentially deadly encounter, one drone pilot came up with an innovative solution,” the agency added. “By attaching a powerful magnet to the drone, the pilot was able to safely remove the knife from the suspect’s hand before deputies moved in.”

The sheriff’s office praised the drone operator’s quick thinking, calling the maneuver “an incredible display of creativity, skill, and precision.”

The incident could reignite debate over the expanding role of drones in law enforcement. Police agencies across the country increasingly use unmanned aircraft for search-and-rescue missions, crime scene documentation and suspect surveillance, but officials said employing one to physically remove a weapon from a suspect appears to be unprecedented.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office also defended its drone program amid criticism from civil liberties advocates who have objected to agencies classifying drones as “military equipment.”

“Our drones are labeled as ‘military equipment’ (even though anyone can purchase them at their local Walmart), but are really just another piece of technology helping deputies resolve dangerous situations safely,” the department said.

“Their use protects both law enforcement personnel and suspects.”

The agency did not immediately release the suspect’s identity or provide additional details about the underlying charges, but officials said the operation ended without deputies firing a shot — thanks in part to a flying magnet and a split-second idea that may change police tactics going forward.

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