Florida man escapes deputies, chokes K-9, and gets tased after attempted burglary
By: -----
Lee County, FL - A man from Cape Coral was arrested early Friday morning after he allegedly broke into a home, escaped from deputies, and choked a police K-9 during his arrest.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) said that at around 9 a.m., deputies responded to a report of a burglary in progress at an apartment in the Whiskey Creek area.
The resident reported that the suspect, later identified as Xzavier Jefferson, had entered their home while they were sleeping and was found sitting on their couch.
As Jefferson fled the scene, one of the victims allegedly followed him and provided deputies with real-time updates on his location.
LCSO said that deputies found Jefferson near Whiskey Creek Drive and College Parkway, where he refused to obey their commands.
To help apprehend him, K-9 Vader was deployed. LCSO said that when contact was made, Jefferson placed K-9 Vader in a headlock, choking the dog.
Fortunately, K-9 Vader was evaluated afterward and did not sustain any injuries, per LCSO.
Jefferson was ultimately subdued with a taser, taken into custody, and is now facing multiple criminal counts, including trespassing, resisting an officer without violence, and animal cruelty.