K-9 catches fleeing Florida man wanted for drug trafficking
By: -----
Bellview, FL - A Marion County K-9 tracked and caught a wanted Florida man on Saturday after he fled law enforcement during an attempted traffic stop in Bellview, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said.
A deputy attempted to locate the man, George Jones, who was wanted on warrants for trafficking in methamphetamine and five counts of failure to appear, according to MCSO.
The sheriff’s office said its deputies located the vehicle Jones was in and attempted a traffic stop before he fled.
According to dash camera footage, the vehicle he was in eventually stopped near SE 72nd Terrace Road and SE 115th Place, and Jones climbed out of the back seat and ran.
A K-9 corporal and his partner, K-9 Gunner, chased after Jones.
Footage from the aviation unit shows Gunner apprehend Jones before deputies caught up to perform the arrest.
Body camera footage of the incident shows Gunner biting Jones’ arm as a deputy commands that he show his hands. As deputies placed Jones in handcuffs, the footage shows his left arm bleeding.
During the investigation, the driver told deputies that when the traffic stop was attempted, Jones told her not to stop, threatening to “stab her with a knife” if she did, MCSO said.
The sheriff’s office said Jones was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail.
In addition to his outstanding warrants, Jones was charged with false imprisonment, resisting without violence and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to MCSO.