State Police Release Helicopter Photos of Bombing Suspect on the Boat

Image via Massachusetts State Police.

After receiving a tip from a Watertown resident indicating that Boston Marathon bombing “Suspect 2” may have been hiding on his boat, parked in his backyard, Massachusetts State Police used infrared technology from a helicopter to locate Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

On Saturday, less than 24-hours after Tsarnaev was captured by police on Franklin Street, state police officials released several images taken from an air wing unit during the manhunt. The photos were taken using thermal technology, and show Tsarnaev hiding underneath a tarp on the resident’s boat. “We have what’s called a FLIR [Forward Looking Infrared Radar] on that helicopter. It picked up the heat signature of the individual, even though he was underneath what appeared to be the shrink wrap, or cover, on the boat itself. There was movement from that point on. The helicopter was able to direct the tactical teams over to that area,” said Massachusetts State Police Colonel Timothy Alben, during a press conference with reporters Friday night, after the 19-year-old bombing suspect was in police custody.

After using the aerial technology to track the suspect, State Police moved closer to the boat with a large vehicle on the ground, and extended a mechanical “arm” to peel back the tarp covering the vessel in order to get a better visual of Tsarnaev. Soon after, following a shoot out with police, investigators moved in and made the arrest. Tsarnaev was then transported to Beth Israel Hospital, where he is currently listed in “serious condition.”

Photo via Massachusetts State Police.

Photo via Massachusetts State Police.