Army IDs suspected drone thieves after offering $5K reward for information
The Army said Thursday that it identified two suspects in the case of four stolen drones from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, which went missing more than three months ago. The service’s law enforcement agency offered a $5,000 reward earlier this week for credible information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the theft.
The drones, which the Army Criminal Investigation Division identified as Skydio X10D systems, were last seen on the morning of Nov. 21, 2025 at an engineer battalion building on Fort Campbell.
CID said that sometime over the next three days, “unknown persons unlawfully gained access to building 6955 and took them,” according to a social media post from the installation.
DefenseScoop asked CID and a spokesperson for the 101st Airborne Division — which the engineer battalion belongs to — for more information about the theft, including how the individuals gained access to the building and if any other components were stolen.
“The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division would like to thank the members of the public who came forward with information regarding the recent theft of the drones, the tips we received have proven helpful,” said Thomas B. Hamilton III, a spokesperson for CID. “As this is an open and active investigation, no additional details can be provided at this time.”
Hamilton did not answer those questions and declined to say whether CID or law enforcement had made any arrests or identified persons of interests, citing the ongoing investigation.
In a press release shared with DefenseScoop later Thursday, the 101st said it “identified two suspects and have gathered credible evidence related to this theft and the possible whereabouts of the missing drones.”
The release said there was no threat to the public and the missing “quadcopters are equipped with only small cameras.”
“These drones were stolen from a locked storage area within a secured government building. The individuals responsible had authorized access to the military installation and the building, and they defeated the locks on the storage cages to perpetrate this theft,” per the release. “This was a targeted act, not a random breach of security.”
Pictures released by CID show two individuals, identified as suspects, with face coverings walking through what appears to be a military building. CID also published images of two vehicles — one sedan and one truck — in the release.
Officials did not release the names of the suspects.
In the 2010s, nearly 2,000 military firearms were lost or stolen, some of which ended up being used in violent crimes, according to an Associated Press investigation from 2021. Some military explosives went missing as well, the AP reported. Drones could pose another security issue if they fall into the wrong hands, especially if they become equipped with ordnance.
The military has tried to make improvements to their physical installation security, and some services have recently reformed protection around weapons, explosives and ammunition after they identified lapses.
“The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) takes the accountability and security of its personnel and equipment seriously,” officials wrote in the release. “The building in question has since replaced its doors and locks which were burglarized. This incident remains an ongoing investigation.”
