Robot helps fight crime

Police in California are using a robot to search confined areas for suspects while preventing officers from being placed in danger.

The Robotex robot comes equipped with 360-degree front and back cameras, infrared lighting and a speaker.

It can climb stairs, use its tank-like tracks on grass and gravel and right itself if it flips over.

It is operated like a toy remote-controlled car using a video screen on the control handset.

Fontana Police Department purchased the $12,000 device this summer using US Department of Homeland Security funding.