Sniffer Dogs Track Down Suspects In Thicket Following Dramatic Chase In Stolen Car
This is the moment US cops with sniffer dogs arrest two teens hiding in thick bushes with drugs and a gun following a dramatic car chase.
The footage was shared on social media by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office (VSO) based in Volusia County in the US state of Florida on 1st June after the arrests took place on 29th May.
According to the VSO, one of the suspects was identified as Zykieus Hester, 19, and a 17-year-old accomplice who was not named.
Deputies spotted Hester driving a Ford Escape SUV which had been reported as stolen earlier in the day. They attempted a traffic check, but Hester refused to stop which resulted in a car chase.
The video shows an officer skilfully throwing a spike strip which the stolen SUV is seen driving over before the chase continues to a wild area where the suspects exit the vehicle and flee on foot.
VSO said after the suspect bailed from the car, deputies set up a perimeter and began searching the area for the suspects.
The video goes on to show a K9 unit sniffing around the brush and finding a bag allegedly containing drugs before later biting one of the suspects who is heard screaming in pain.
The officer moves towards them to get a visual and carry out the arrest as a similar situation happens with the second suspect who is seen being placed in handcuffs by another officer.
The video ends with a K9 named Jago leading officers to a handgun the day after the arrests were made.
The gun had also been reported as stolen in Marion County and Hester was found in possession of a loaded 9mm magazine at the time of his arrest.
The VSO said: “Deputies believe both Hester and his co-defendant were headed toward the large Memorial Day weekend crowds present in Daytona Beach at the time of the incident.”
The statement added that Hester was charged with principal to grand theft of a motor vehicle, grand theft firearm, and resisting an officer without violence.
The 17-year-old suspect was also charged with resisting an officer without violence as well as grand theft of a motor vehicle, and fleeing and resisting an officer without violence.
They were both released on a USD-5,500 bail but it is unclear when they are expected to stand before a judge.
