Enfield, Connecticut, August 25, 2025
News Summary
A suspected burglar hiding inside a Garden Street home in Enfield, Connecticut, was found and arrested after a police K-9 completed a building search. Officers first used aerial drones to sweep floors but could not locate the subject; K-9 Dunkin, a German shepherd, cleared multiple levels and located the suspect hiding under basement construction debris. The response highlighted the department’s recent purchase of a four-legged robotic unit, R3KO, added to its UAV program to inspect confined or obstructed indoor spaces where aerial drones have limitations. The robot provides live camera feeds, can carry small payloads and is operated by trained officers to enhance officer and public safety.
Enfield Police deploy robotic K-9 and expand UAV program in Garden Street burglary response
The incident began with an active burglary report at a Garden Street residence in Enfield, Connecticut. A homeowner observed a man forcing entry, and cameras captured someone moving inside the home. Officers established a perimeter and activated the department’s Drone and K‑9 Unit to search from the air and on the ground. One department pilot cleared each floor with a drone, but the suspect was not located from the air during the initial sweep.
K‑9 Dunkin, a 3‑year‑old German shepherd, conducted a building search after the initial drone sweep. Dunkin cleared several floors, including three floors, and did not immediately locate the suspect. While investigators prepared to search the basement, they noticed a basement window had been broken. After multiple for‑giving announcements with no response, Dunkin entered the basement and ultimately located the suspect hiding under construction debris. The suspect was apprehended without injuries to officers or the subject, marking a resolution to the active incident.
Introduction of a four‑legged robot to augment the UAV program
Following the response, the department expanded its UAV/drone lineup with a four‑legged robotic drone designed to operate in spaces where traditional aerial drones struggle. The robot, referred to as R3KO and also known as Rico, is described as one of the first of its kind used by a police department in the state. Its appearance, at a distance, resembles a small dog; up close, it looks built with metal and wiring rather than flesh. The device carries a camera on its head and features joints and limbs that mimic and extend beyond typical canine movement. It can walk, sprint, sit, jump, walk on two legs, and even perform a handstand, enabling access through stairs and into areas that may be blocked by debris or partially closed doors and curtains.
The robot is controlled by trained officers and provides real‑time visuals from its mounted camera. It can navigate stairs, pass through doorways, and extend its reach into partially closed doors and draperies where a traditional aerial drone might not operate safely. A notable capability is its ability to carry a small payload, such as a mobile phone, to initiate communication with someone in a barricade or hostage scenario. In addition to its sensory and navigation benefits, the robot is intended to enhance officer safety, subject safety, and public safety during complex responses.
Cost, funding, and strategic rationale
Reported purchase costs for Rico range from just under $4,800 to about $4,700, with some articles noting the price as roughly the same as typical aerial drones. The department funded the purchase from existing funds within the UAV program budget, using a prior budget review to identify equipment that could advance response capabilities. The decision to add the robot followed a period when aerial drones demonstrated limitations in certain building entries, particularly in scenarios with hidden threats or obstructed lines of sight. The addition of the robotic K‑9 was framed as a step to address significant officer safety and public safety concerns in high‑risk operations.
Officials described the robot as an extension of a broader life‑safety toolkit. The design intentionally mirrors familiar canine form factors to foster interaction and reduce resistance in tense moments, while offering features that extend beyond what a conventional dog or drone can provide. The chief noted that technology has progressed beyond the older method of officers personally clearing buildings and highlighted the potential for Rico to assist in dangerous or hard‑to‑reach areas. The department also pointed to Rico’s ability to provide hands‑free eyes on critical zones and to support communications in barricaded situations.
Operational context and prior use
The robot’s deployment followed experiences in prior incidents where aerial drones could not safely or effectively observe a potentially dangerous interior scene. In at least one home burglary response, R3KO assisted in confirming safety of certain areas, while a live canine unit later located the suspect without injuries. The department characterized the robot as a complement to traditional K‑9 teams and drone operations, emphasizing that the technology is intended to reduce risk to officers and to improve outcomes in complex, real‑world scenarios.
In addition to its functional aims, the department framed Rico as part of a continuing evolution in investigative and incident‑response practices, noting that the robot’s dog‑like design and sensor suite support clearer situational awareness. The chief suggested that while Rico can appear as a novelty at first glance, the device is a serious tool designed to extend the reach of responders and to foster safer engagement with the public.
Context for the field of public safety technology
The program’s adoption of a robotic K‑9 follows an explicit recognition of the gaps that aerial drones can encounter when confronting indoor environments. The department described Rico as a strategic upgrade intended to help navigate limited visibility, access restricted by doors or curtains, and the need to locate or verify safe paths inside a building. The robot’s capabilities to deliver a payload, to search areas inaccessible to conventional drones, and to provide live visuals are presented as measures to minimize risk while maintaining rapid, accurate situational awareness during critical incidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What incident occurred at Garden Street?
- An active burglary was reported at a Garden Street residence; a perimeter was established, and a canine unit and aerial drone were deployed to search the interior and exterior of the building.
- What is R3KO/Rico?
- R3KO, also spelled Rico, is a four‑legged robotic K‑9 added to the department’s UAV program to assist in indoor and obstructed areas where traditional drones have limitations.
- What is the cost of the robotic K‑9?
- The cost is reported as just under $4,800 or around $4,700, funded from existing UAV program funds.
- What capabilities does Rico have?
- Rico can walk, sprint, sit, jump, walk on two legs, and perform a handstand. It can navigate stairs, pass through doorways and partially closed doors, and carry a small payload. It also provides visual feeds from its mounted camera.
- Why add the robot to the lineup?
- The robot is intended to enhance officer safety, subject safety, and public safety, particularly in scenarios where aerial drones cannot safely see inside a structure.
- How has Rico been used so far?
- Rico has been deployed to help locate or confirm safe areas during interior searches; in a prior incident, a real K‑9 later located the suspect without injuries, illustrating the collaborative value of the robot and canine teams.
- What is the design rationale for the robot’s appearance?
- The dog‑like shape is chosen to be familiar and potentially encourage interaction, while the device is engineered with a head camera and visible components to support strategic operations.
- How does Rico fit into ongoing safety practices?
- The robot is part of a broader effort to modernize response strategies, complementing existing drones and K‑9 units to reduce risk and improve decision making in complex situations.
Key features at a glance (summary table)
| Feature | Description | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Incident type | Active burglary with entry attempt observed and cameras recording activity | Drives rapid deployment of ground and aerial search assets |
| K‑9 Dunkin search | Ground dog cleared multiple floors and located the suspect under debris in the basement | Validated need for persistent ground search capability |
| R3KO/Rico introduction | Four‑legged robotic K‑9 added to UAV program; cost funded from existing budget | Expands indoor search capacity and safety features |
| Capabilities of Rico | Walking, sprinting, sitting, jumping, two‑leg walking, handstands; stairs and door navigation; payload delivery | Extends reach into restricted or dangerous spaces |
| Operational impact | Provides visual feeds and can initiate communications; complements human responders | Improves safety and situational awareness in risky scenarios |
| Limitations and context | Drones have limitations indoors; Rico addresses some traditional obstacles | Supports a broader life‑safety approach |