A search effort helped Ocean Township police locate a juvenile in a wooded area along Oyster Creek.

Patrol officers with the Ocean Township Police Department responded to a report of a runaway juvenile. With temperatures dropping quickly, officers launched a search of the surrounding area.

Police used a combination of tools, including Life360 tracking technology and the department’s newly acquired unmanned aerial system. Sgt. Michael Matelski deployed the drone, allowing officers to narrow the search zone.

The juvenile was found in a densely wooded area near Oyster Creek.

Authorities say the use of technology was critical, especially given the freezing conditions and challenging terrain. Without it, the situation could have escalated into a serious emergency.