Executive Summary
- Deputies responded to a burglary on Edison Avenue where a fire had been intentionally set to destroy evidence.
- Law enforcement utilized drone technology and thermal imaging to track a suspect to a nearby residence.
- Investigators recovered stolen property, including a firearm, and narcotics during a search of the suspect’s home.
- Anthony Storti II and Allyson Russell face multiple charges including Arson, Burglary, and Criminal Use of a Firearm.
Broome County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested two individuals following a burglary and arson investigation in the Town of Binghamton, New York, utilizing drone technology to locate a suspect through thermal imaging. The arrests stem from an incident on December 15, 2025, involving a residential break-in and an intentional fire.
According to the Broome County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a residence on Edison Avenue after homeowners contacted 911 dispatchers. The residents reported that their security camera feed showed an unauthorized individual inside the home. Upon arrival, law enforcement officials observed fresh footprints in the snow, signs of forced entry, and smoke emanating from the structure due to an active fire.
Firefighters from the Town of Binghamton Fire Department, assisted by the New York State Police and the Broome County Bureau of Fire Investigation, successfully extinguished the blaze. Investigators allege that the primary suspect, identified as Anthony Storti II, ignited multiple fires using tiki torch fuel found on the premises in an attempt to eliminate evidence of his presence.
Following the discovery of a cell phone and kitchen towels near the scene, deputies deployed a drone to surveil the surrounding area. The aerial device detected the heat signature of an individual moving near a residence on Woodside Avenue. Authorities subsequently apprehended Storti, who was reportedly found in possession of narcotics. A subsequent search of Storti’s residence yielded property allegedly stolen from the Edison Avenue home, including jewelry, personal items, silverware, and a Ruger .22 caliber handgun with ammunition.
Investigators also identified Allyson Russell of Endicott as an accomplice in the criminal activity. Storti faces multiple charges, including Burglary, Arson, Criminal Use of a Firearm, Grand Larceny, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and four counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Russell has been charged with Burglary, Criminal Use of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and Grand Larceny.
Investigative Outlook
The successful resolution of this case underscores the evolving role of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and thermal imaging in modern police work, particularly for tracking suspects in adverse weather conditions like snow. By utilizing heat signatures, law enforcement was able to locate the suspect efficiently without immediate physical confrontation at the initial search site. It is important to note that Anthony Storti II and Allyson Russell are presumed innocent of all charges until proven guilty in a court of law.
