CRYSTAL LAKE – Almost a month ago, the Northwest Herald reported that a drone was found in a Crystal Lake front yard. Now, that drone has been reunited with its owner.

Longtime Crystal Lake resident Neil Wolfe said he was capturing video earlier in the summer of the sunset over Crystal Lake with his drone. He decided to stand in the baseball fields in Crystal Lake Park in case he accidentally crashed the unmanned aerial vehicle, but he did not anticipate the wind carrying his possession over some trees and out of view.

“It was as high as its range went, and I lost connection with it,” Wolfe said. “I think the wind just blew it away.”

Wolfe said he later watched the last moments of his drone’s video footage, which showed the device flying onto Kay Pitluck’s roof and falling into her bushes. Wolfe had enjoyed using the drone for its high-flying camera angles. He said he originally bought it to take pictures of his mother’s property in Costa Rica and capture surfing photos.

Wolfe searched Pitluck’s yard, but could not find his drone, so he left the woman a business card.

Pitluck and her husband, retired McHenry County Circuit Judge Haskell Pitluck, were in possession of a drone they never wanted and had no means of returning to its rightful owner.

“I have actually felt so guilty about it,” Kay Pitluck previously said. “I’m old; I don’t want a drone.”

Pitluck unfortunately had misplaced Wolfe’s business card.

Wolfe said his girlfriend posted a photo of the drone, manufactured by Skyrocket Toys LLC and colored black and neon green with four propellers and a camera, on a Crystal Lake community Facebook page, saying he had lost it. The Northwest Herald’s initial story sparked one Facebook group member’s memory, and Wolfe was connected with the Pitlucks.

“I just think it’s interesting how the power of social media was able to complete the circle here in a three-month process,” Wolfe said. “I appreciate the woman who found it going to all the lengths she did to try to get it back to me.”

Wolfe said he was able to clean the drone and even flew it Wednesday. He said he was happy to have it back and especially excited that it still works.

When asked what he might do differently in the future, Wolfe said he would write his name and address on the drone. He also said he might upgrade to a more advanced version so he can have more control.