Police in Union County and the FBI are looking for the owner of a drone that was seen flying over a refinery in Linden.
Linden police say security officers at Phillips 66 Refinery noticed the drone hovering over the facility on Wednesday just before 9 a.m. The drone then crashed onto a vehicle driving on Park Avenue. The area is located between Newark and Linden airports, in restricted air space.
The operator grabbed the drone and fled the area before police arrived.
Although there is no indication that the drone was in any way related to terrorism, authorities say that in light of the recent attacks in Paris, they are handing the case over to federal law enforcement agencies.
Terrorism expert Clint Watts tells News 12 New Jersey that besides the dangers of someone crashing the drone onto a busy highway, they could also create security breaches.
"It gives you amazing capability in the use of reconnaissance, a drone is a great tool to use for that," he says.
Many law enforcement officials and security experts say that they are a little nervous about drones. Many can be purchased for less than $300 at hobby shops. Some experts say that they can even carry 1 pound of explosives or contraband.
So far, police have not been able to identify the operator of the drone in Linden. The incident is under investigation.