Joseph Bell

Photo contributed by Sullivan County Sheriff's Dept.

BARRYVILLE, NY — On Monday, October 22,  the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the New Jersey State Police in regards to a subject who was making terroristic threats from a residence located in Barryville, NY. The suspect was threatening to torture and murder his ex-girlfriend while she was actually at the New Jersey State Police Barracks in Sussex attempting to sign a complaint.

At one point the suspect even threatened the New Jersey state trooper who was taking a statement from the victim. The next day the troopers in Sussex, NJ obtained a warrant for the suspect who was identified as Joseph B. Bell, 47, of 22 Barryville-Yulan Road in the Town of Highland.

Armed with the warrant, sheriff’s deputies went to the defendant’s residence, but the defendant refused to come out. Neighbors advised that the suspect appeared intoxicated, unstable and could become combative. The deputies were concerned because the suspect had previously been charged in other incidents with assault and resisting arrest. At this point, the deputies came up with a plan to deploy a drone, which was equipped with a loudspeaker.

“The drone was flown up to the suspect’s open bedroom window on the second floor,” said Undersheriff Eric Chaboty. “Once the drone was in position, the drone operator spoke over the loudspeaker and announced that there was a warrant for the suspect and that he should come out with his hands up.

"It worked!” said Chaboty. The suspect surrendered and was taken into custody peacefully. Chaboty said that the Sheriff’s Drone Unit is an example of how modern technology can help keep law enforcement officers safe and avoid violent confrontations.

The suspect was arraigned before Town of Thompson Judge Richard Baum and sent to the Sullivan County jail pending extradition to  New Jersey as a fugitive from justice. Sheriff’s deputies were assisted at the scene by NY state troopers.