WATCH: K9 Knox Finds Wanted Man Submerged In Pasco Swamp

LAND O’ LAKES, FL – You can’t fool Knox.

That’s what a Hernando County man discovered Tuesday, April 17, when he tried to hide from Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies by submerging himself in a muddy swamp in Land O’ Lakes.

The Hernando County Sheriff's Office sent out an alert to look out for Paul Daniel Smith, 34, who reportedly battered a Hernando Sheriff’s deputy while resisting arrest. He then fled with one wrist handcuffed to a blue Ford F150.

Just after 6 p.m., Pasco Sheriff’s Deputy Marc Lane spotted the pickup truck driving at a high rate of speed south on U.S. 41. He called for backup and followed the pickup at it turned into the Lake Thomas area in Land O’ Lakes where Smith struck a pole and a mailbox.

Smith then slowed down, allowing his passenger, Tara Berger, 31, to jump out. She was promptly apprehended by deputies.

Smith turned into a subdivision and drove directly toward sheriff’s units, nearly hitting them. He then bailed from the truck at Gardenia Drive and Wisteria Loop, and ran into a wooded, swampy area when K9 Deputy Rob Wilkins and K9 Knox, along with Cpl. Andrew Denbo, joined the chase.

Knox tracked Smith through the swamp, eventually finding him almost entirely submerged in mud, attempting to hide.

Smith was arrested for fleeing to elude, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and violation of probation, along with charges in Hernando County. He was transported from the scene to Spring Hill Hospital for medical clearance.

Berger was charged with lying to a law enforcement officer during a felony investigation.

See the complete chase on Youtube Part I and Part II. (Warning: videos contain obscene language.)

Video via Pasco Sheriff