A doubtlessly harmful manhunt in a Florida swamp took a wierd flip when deputies noticed a human stomach and mouth protruding of the water, investigators say.
It proved to be their suspect — a 6-foot, 7-inch tall, 370-pound man — making a nasty try at hiding underwater like a Navy SEAL.
He was rescued and arrested earlier than encountering the alligators or venomous snakes that additionally wish to submerge and conceal within the swamp.
The pursuit started round 3:20 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 7, when deputies responded to a single-vehicle crash close to Lakeland, the Polk County Sheriff’s Workplace mentioned in a Jan. 8 information launch. Lakeland is about 35 miles northeast of Tampa.
“When the deputies arrived, they found (the automobile’s proprietor) had fled on foot from the crash,” the sheriff’s workplace mentioned.
“(He) might be heard strolling via the swampy woods. … Plus, he was utilizing his cellular phone to navigate and making an attempt to cellphone a pal, and the deputies might see the sunshine from the cellphone.”
Deputies tracked the ruckus however overlooked the 20-year-old man when issues instantly acquired quiet.
He was finally discovered “virtually fully submerged within the water with solely his abdomen and mouth seen,” officers mentioned.
“It was famous that (his) eyes had been dilated, blood shot, and watery. Granted, he simply got here out of the swamp, so his entire physique was watery, however his breath additionally smelled of alcoholic beverage,” the sheriff’s workplace mentioned.
The suspect was given two breath pattern checks and charged with hit and run, DUI and resisting arrest, officers mentioned.
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