An Absecon man was charged with damaging property after he allegedly used a drone to drop dye into several area pools.
Patrick Spina IV, 45, is accused of damaging several area pools with Sea Dye, a material used by sea rescue services.
Police got a call from an Absecon resident Aug. 13, reporting suspicious activity with a drone at their Upland Avenue home.
The homeowner said a substance dropped from the drone turned their pool water "an alarming shade of green," police said.
Similar reports then came from other places, including the Quality Inn in Galloway Township.
Absecon worked with the FAA, New Jersey State Police and Galloway Township police, leading them to a drone over the Quality Inn on Friday, according to the report.
Authorities tracked the drone's path back to Comfort Solutions Heating and Cooling, a business located at 345 E. White Horse Pike in Galloway Township.
Spina, who owns the business, was identified as the person responsible for the ongoing incidents of criminal mischief, police said. He faces multiple counts.
Spina was released on a summon.
Absecon and Galloway police urge any residents who may have fallen victim to similar activities to come forward and contact their local police agency to aid in ongoing investigations.
Anyone with information should call Detective Neal Galletta in Absecon at 609-641-0667, ext. 216.
For Galloway, call Detective Sgt. First Class Jason Kiamos at 609-652-3705, ext. 331.
