Crime & Safety
K9 Deputy Slashed By Thief After Stolen Car Chase In Bradenton: Video
A car thief drove into a patrol car, led deputies on a chase, broke into a home and cut a K9 deputy, Manatee County Sheriff's Office said.
BRADENTON, FL — A 36-year-old man faces multiple charges after leading deputies on a chase in a stolen car and cutting a K9 deputy who was pursuing him on Friday afternoon in Bradenton, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office news release.
Deputies found a stolen car in the parking lot of the Walmart on State Road 64 E. just after 4 p.m.
When the driver, Christopher Darlington, saw deputies, he intentionally rammed a MCSO patrol vehicle with the stolen car, the agency said. He then drove over a shopping cart corral and headed west on SR 64.
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The MCSO Watch Unit helicopter found the car driving in the 3600 block of US 301, and saw it run off the road and crash into a fence. Darlington got out of the car and broke into an unoccupied house in the 3600 block of 27th Street E., the sheriff’s office said. (Watch the video below.)
Deputies set up around the home and gave multiple commands for him to come out and surrender. He refused and deputies, including K9 Loki, found him armed with two large knives in the master bedroom.
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Darlington swung the blades at Loki, cutting him on the nose and face. He was taken into custody, MCSO said.
Loki, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois, was taken to a local veterinary hospital for treatment. He got 12 stitches on his face and should be back to work in two weeks, the sheriff’s office said.
During the arrest, deputies found that Darlington had a trafficking quantity of suspected fentanyl. They also found that he had stolen property taken from the home, the agency said.
At the time of his arrest, Darlington had two outstanding warrants for contempt of court. His current charges include:
- possession of stolen vehicle
- aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer
- felony criminal mischief
- armed burglary
- aggravated battery on police canine
- trafficking fentanyl
- warrant for contempt of court for DUI
- warrant for contempt of court for DWLS
Watch video of the incident from the MCSO Watch Unit and an arresting deputy:
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