Suspect Nabbed After Extensive Manhunt Wednesday In Northern Tuscaloosa County

NORTHPORT, AL — The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office Crime Suppression Unit and Criminal Investigations Division on Thursday provided details following an arrest made during a large-scale manhunt in the northern part of the county.

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TCSO says it began investigating the whereabouts of 32-year-old Pedro Arenas sometime last week regarding numerous active warrants. He was also a suspect in a reported theft of a vehicle.

Around 2 p.m. Wednesday, the vehicle was located, a K-9 track was initiated and confirmed by shoe prints.

What's more, TCSO says additional tracks were located near the end of Sullivan Road where K-9 Sjores and his handler tracked for approximately two miles.

TCSO said during the track, drone operators searched the area from the skies, where they detected movement in a heavily wooded area.

Arenas reportedly complied with deputies and was taken into custody without issue and without the release of the k-9 just after 8 p.m.

He was apprehended after a track of 6.92 miles in total length, TCSO said, and a manhunt that lasted 3 hours and 38 minutes.

Three drones were also used in the operation and Tuscaloosa Police provided air support.

Arenas was arrested and booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail on a total of six warrants without bond, along with an additional charge of attempting to elude. His bond on the new charge was set at $500 and more charges could be pending.

"By diligent training, excellent equipment, and relentless determination from all involved, this operation was a successful team effort in every aspect," Chief of Administration and Technical Service Alex Miles said. "The Criminal Investigations Division, along with the Crime Suppression Unit that includes Deputy Cleveland and his K9 partner, Sjores, did an excellent job of completing the last leg of the track."

Miles then said the Tuscaloosa Police Department's aviation unit also provided support throughout the operation

"Everyone involved should be commended for their part in taking the suspect into custody and getting him off the street," Miles said.

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