Pasco K9 finds suspect who tried to hide in neck-deep mud
A man accused of beating a Hernando deputy was captured by Pasco deputies Tuesday after he tried to get away by running into a swamp.
Video released by the Pasco County Sheriff's Office shows the man in neck-deep mud unable to flee as a PCSO K9 deputy licks him.
The video was released by the PCSO on Wednesday with new details about the attack on the Hernando deputy.
On Tuesday, a BOLO was issued by the Hernando County Sheriff's Office after a man resisted arrest and beat a Hernando deputy, then took off with one handcuff on his wrist. The man, who was identified as Paul Daniel Smith, drove away in a blue Ford F150 truck.
At 6:10 p.m., PCSO Deputy Marc Lane spotted the truck driving at a high rate of speed southbound on US 41 in Land O' Lakes. Deputy Lane chased the truck. Other deputies were in the area and joined the pursuit.
The truck turned into the Lake Thomas area where it hit a pole and a mailbox. At one point, the truck slowed and a woman jumped out of the passenger side. She was taken into custody by deputies.
The truck then turned into a subdivision and almost hit Pasco deputies. Smith got out of the truck and ran into a wooded, swampy area.
PCSO K9 Knox and the PSCO helicopter were dispatched to help with the search for Smith. K9 Deputy Rob Wilkins, Corporal Andrew Denbo and K9 Knox tracked Smith through the swamp and found him hiding, almost entirely submerged in mud.
Smith, 34, was arrested on charges of Flee to Elude, Aggravated Assault on LEO, and Violation of Probation. The HCSO is also pursuing warrants for multiple felony charges.