The Grand Forks Sheriff’s Department apprehended its first set of suspects using an unmanned aircraft at night following a Sunday traffic stop and foot chase.

The flight marks the first nighttime mission the agency has flown, and officials say it could even be the first of its kind in the country, according to a new release.

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Arrested and taken into custody after the aircraft’s deployment were 20-year-old Matthew Franklin Dalbey of Emerado, N.D., and 20-year-old Cole Andrew Schmidt of Larimore, N.D.

Dalbey faces charges of reckless driving, minor in consumption, refusing to halt and driving under the influence. Schmidt faces charges of minor in consumption and refusing to halt.

A third suspect, Sawyer Smith of Hatton, N.D., faces charges of refusing to halt, the sheriff’s office news release said. A fourth suspect’s identity was not released because of that person’s involvement in an ongoing investigation, according to the release.

The night leading up to the flight began with Sgt. Andy Schneider stopping a pickup driven by Dalbey at about 2:20 a.m. on 13th Avenue N.E. near Larimore.

The four occupants exited the vehicle and fled the scene. Both the department’s K-9 unit and UAS team were asked to assist.

Police dog Sheeba and her handler Cpl. Mike Lee were unable to locate the suspect, leading officers to use the unmanned aircraft.

The Qube aircraft located one of the suspects in a corn field, but he or she escaped before deputies arrived at the location. A second flight revealed the location of another suspect.

The sheriff’s department is authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to fly unmanned aircraft in 16 northeastern North Dakota counties. It has had the ability to conduct night flights since March 2014.