Conroe Police Arrest Two Men After Drone Tracks Suspect Fleeing Into Woods

CONROE, TX -- On the afternoon of November 11, 2026, Conroe Police Officers responded to a call about suspicious activity in the 500 block of Avenue G after reports of two males entering a vacant residence.

A Drone as First Responder (DFR) pilot launched a drone to assist responding officers. Upon arriving overhead, the pilot quickly identified an open door on the west side of the residence and relayed that information to officers approaching the scene.

Officers located the open door and began announcing their presence, ordering anyone inside to exit the residence. After several announcements, a male identified as William Lewis exited the residence and was detained.

While officers were detaining Lewis, the DFR pilot observed a second male exit the residence and flee on foot into a nearby wooded area. The pilot immediately began relaying the fleeing suspect's location and movements to officers on the ground.

Using the real-time information provided by the DFR pilot, officers were able to quickly close in on the suspect, identified as David Leatherwood, and take him into custody without incident.

Both individuals were arrested and charged as follows:

• William Lewis, 61: Criminal Trespass of a Habitation

• David Leatherwood, 38: Criminal Trespass of a Habitation and Evading Arrest or Detention

This incident is a great example of how the Conroe Police Department's Drone as First Responder (DFR) program enhances officer safety and improves response capabilities. By providing real-time aerial intelligence, the DFR pilot helped officers locate and safely apprehend both suspects. Outstanding teamwork by our responding officers and DFR pilot.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.