Operator Had Flown It Over The State Capitol In Albany, New York

New York State Police confiscated a Phantom 3 UAV belonging to Adam Rupeka last month ... and despite no charges being filed in the case, they have not released the aircraft back to its owner.

According to the Photography is Not A Crime website Rupeka was flying his UAV over the state capitol last month when the state police confiscated his aircraft without a warrant and without filing charges. They still have it, and a state police investigator said that the police are scouring the law books in an effort to find something with which to charge Rupeka. They just need a little more time to comb through the code, according to New York state police investigator Ronald Pierone Jr.

To protest his Phantom being held hostage by the police, Rupeka on September 25 ago flew another aircraft over the state police building in New York. That prompted a second confrontation, but when he was confronted by a trooper, and then a state police sergeant, the more senior officer sided with Rupeka and told the original officer to leave him alone.

That may be because Rupeka is known to local authorities. His YouTube channel Capital District Cop Block appears to be dedicated to presenting police in a negative light. Rupeka made national headlines recently after being pepper sprayed and then arrested for making an obscene gesture at a police officer.

That case led to a monetary settlement for Rupeka, who used part of that money to buy the now-incarcerated Phantom 3, according to PINAC. 

In the September 25 incident at the state police headquarters in Latham, NY about 10 miles from Albany, Trooper Donald Fougere said to Rupeka that he was flying his aircraft over the state police building for no reason, and he had to present identification when asked. Rupeka countered that he did not have to present identification unless there was reasonable suspicion that he was involved in a crime. The sergeant told Fougere that he had no reason to detain Rupeka.

There are videos, of course, and they are linked below. One shows Rupeka's interaction with trooper Fougere, and the other his meeting with investigator Pierone.

(Image of Ronald Pierone Jr. from Adam Rupeka YouTube video)

FMI: Fougere video, Pierone video