‘Hazardous drone operation’: Two arrested for flying dangerously close to Logan Airport, police say

Two people will face charges after allegedly flying a drone too close to Boston’s Logan Airport Saturday, according to police.

Robert Duffy, 42, of Charlestown and Jeremy Folcik, 32, of Bridgewater, are facing trespassing charges after Boston police say they were caught flying drones on Boston Harbor’s Long Island.

“We were able to detect where they were coming from the address of that drone,” said Boston 25 security analyst Dan Linskey.

Officials first detected a drone flying in proximity to Logan’s airspace around 4:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The Boston Police Department coordinated with Homeland Security, the Massachusetts State Police, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Logan Airport Air Traffic Control and responded to Long Island where three people were found inside the decommissioned Long Island Health Campus.

All three suspects ran away but Duffy and Folcik were caught, police say. A drone was found in Duffy’s backpack.

Boston police say the third suspect likely got off the island in a small boat.

Linskey, former Boston police chief, said they ran into similar situations during his tenure.

He added, “If there were drones that were of concern to federal government, state government, they would be intercepted and they would be dealt with.”

He spoke in light of multiple, unconfirmed reports of drones in the skies across the east coast.

He continued, “What I suspect is that there’s an operation going on in the east coast right now that will take 2 to 3 weeks, and may be over soon. We may never hear about it because that’s the nature of the operations.”

Massachusetts residents tell us they have their eyes on the sky.

“Very peculiar, mysterious,” said one Massachusetts resident Sunday.

Another added, “I feel like we should have control of our airspace.”

Duffy and Folcik will be arraigned in Dorchester District Court on trespassing charges. Police say more charges may be filed.

“The Boston Police Department reminds recreational drone operators of the importance of adhering to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety guidelines,” Boston police said. “Operators are prohibited from flying drones over people or vehicles and must be aware of airspace restrictions. Even small drones pose significant risks, including the potential for catastrophic damage to airplanes and helicopters. Near-collisions can cause pilots to veer off course, putting lives and property at risk.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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