Thermal Imaging and Drone Assist Lead to Arrests in Sweetwater Hotel Burglary Case

SWEETWATER, TX — Two men were arrested Saturday morning after a vehicle burglary at a Sweetwater hotel led to a multi-agency manhunt and the recovery of stolen items linked to thefts across cities from Odessa to Abilene.

Billy Martin was apprehended at the Holiday Inn Express on Interstate 20, where Sweetwater police responded to the report of a burglary in progress. Officers found Martin in possession of a stolen handgun. Meanwhile, Bryce Long fled the scene on foot, prompting a coordinated search involving the Sweetwater Police Department, Nolan County Sheriff’s Office, a K9 unit, and a drone equipped with thermal imaging provided by the 32nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Long was located in a wooded area and also found armed with a handgun.

Recovered stolen property included electronics, tools, firearms, identification cards, and other items believed to have been taken from hotel parking lots in multiple cities.

Both suspects were booked into the Nolan County Jail on several charges:

Bryce Long

1. Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon with a Felony Conviction
2. Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
3. Possession of Controlled Substance (PG1) 1g-4g
4. Tampering with Evidence
5. Theft of Firearm
6. Fraudulent Use/Possession of Identifying Information
7. Burglary of a Motor Vehicle
8. Evading Arrest/Detention

Billy Martin

1. Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon with a Felony Conviction
2. Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
3. Theft of Firearm
4. Fraudulent Use/Possession of Identifying Information
5. Burglary of a Motor Vehicle

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities expect additional charges to follow.