Drone Briefly Flies Alongside Presidential Motorcade in Hawaii, No Charges Filed
The recreational drone briefly flew alongside the motorcade.
— -- A recreational drone briefly flew alongside the presidential motorcade in Hawaii, highlighting a growing security challenge posed by the popular toy.
The incident, which took place Monday around 4 p.m. local time, only lasted a matter of seconds and the operator landed the craft next to him as Secret Service agents approached.
"The Secret Service is aware of this incident," U.S. Secret Service spokeswoman Nicole Mainor wrote in an email. "The subject was completely unaware that the Presidential motorcade would be transiting the area of operation and immediately complied with law enforcement requests to cease and desist. No charges were filed. The motorcade proceeded without further incident."
Video captured by a photojournalist traveling in the motorcade shows a plain-clothed officer speaking with a younger man, with the drone placed in front him. The man puts his hands in the air, gesturing with his palms facing the officer as if he didn't know what was happening with the motorcade. The officer who talks to him quickly leaves, and the incident is over.
President Obama has been in Hawaii on vacation, where he and the First Family have been since Dec. 19.