Body Cam: Pasco Sheriff's K9 Tracks Accused Burglary

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL -- A New Port Richey man suspected in two burglaries was apprehended by a Pasco County Sheriff's K9 after fleeing from deputies through some woods in the Moon Lake area Friday.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, at about 4:45 a.m. March 29, Daniel Lee Montanez, 32, of Bourbon Street removed a metal vent in the roof of John's Laundry Co. at 10016 Moon Lake Road, New Port Richey, and entered the business. A short time later, he left through the front door with a wooden cart filled with stolen clothes. He then went to the back of the building and collected a book bag he'd stashed before climbing onto the roof.

A surveillance video at the laundry mat was shown to Phil Aughe, manager of the Moon Lake Soup Kitchen, who identified Montanez as the man who previously broke into the soup kitchen using the same method of entry.

During a search of the area, a deputy spotted Montanez riding a bicycle near the intersection of Banbury Avenue and Moon Lake Road. When Montanez saw the deputy, he ditched the bike and the book bag, and ran into the woods.

Deputy Christopher Stone allowed K9 J.R. to sniff the book bag to pick up Montanez' scent, and the dog was able to track Montanez into the woods where deputies discovered him hiding in some bushes.

The book bag contained a syringe with methamphetamine and a pipe containing spice.

Montanez was already on felony probation. He now faces additional charges of burglary of a business, possession of drugs and resisting a deputy without violence.