Burglary accused of targeting hotel parking lots arrested in Sweetwater after drone-assisted manhunt

SWEETWATER, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – A suspect accused of burglarizing vehicles in the parking lot of several hotels in the west Texas area was arrested in Sweetwater after a drone-assisted manhunt.

Bryce Long was taken into custody in a wooded area near the Holiday Inn Express off I-20 Saturday morning. Another suspect, Billy Martin, was arrested at the motel where a burglary in progress had been reported.

When officers arrived to the burglary call a press release from the Sweetwater Police Department states they took Martin into custody and he was in possession of a stolen handgun.

Long fled the scene on foot and was later located after a multi-agency manhunt that utilized thermal drone imaging as well as a K-9 scene.

After Long was successfully apprehended, the press release states he was found to be armed with a handgun.

The press release also states that stolen property, such as electronics, tools, firearms, identifying information, and more, was recovered in the suspects’ possession. Investigators believe the property is from hotel parking lot burglaries across multiple cities form Odessa to Abilene.

Long is being held in the Nolan County Jail on charges for Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon with a Felony Conviction, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Possession of Controlled Substance (PG1) 1g-4g, Tampering with Evidence, Theft of Firearm, Fraudulent Use/Possession of Identifying Information, Burglary of a Motor Vehicle, and Evading Arrest/Detention.

Martin is being held in the Nolan County Jail on charges for Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon with a Felony Conviction, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Theft of Firearm, Fraudulent Use/Possession of Identifying Information, and Burglary of a Motor Vehicle.

No further information is available at this time.