Shocking footage captured the moment police found a fugitive suspect swimming in alligator-infested waters and lurking in Florida’s snake-filled mangroves.
On Monday, Taurean Wright led Hillsborough police on a wild, six-hour chase before a K-9 unit dramatically stopped him. It’s unclear why he was arrested.
To avoid a felony arrest, the 34-year-old man dove into a canal and swam to a heavily wooded area near Palm River Road and S 52nd Street in Tampa.
For the next six hours, Wright allegedly lurked in the treacherous mangroves while officers established a perimeter and deployed K-9 units to hunt him down.
Dramatic body camera footage captured the moment of the arrest as a K-9 dog cornered Wright in snake-infested mangroves.
Shocking body camera footage captured the moment Florida police found a fugitive suspect swimming in alligator-infested waters and lurking in Florida’s snake-filled mangroves.
For six hours, Wright allegedly lurked in the treacherous mangroves while officers set up a perimeter and deployed K-9 units to hunt him down.
“Show me your hands. Come out now,” the officer is heard saying as the dog corners him.
“You’ve got to come get me, ah, you’ve got to come get me,” Wright yells, apparently in pain.
Aerial footage then shows officers leading Wright out of the woods and handcuffing him.
The sheriff’s office later posted on social media, emphasizing the collaborative effort of its K9, Marine and Aviation units to capture the suspect.
‘On July 29, 2024, #teamHCSO K9, Marine, and Aviation units successfully located and arrested felony suspect, 34-year-old Taurean Wright, who had been fleeing for approximately six hours through the mangroves,’ the post read.
‘Earlier that day, HCSO attempted to arrest Wright on a warrant, but he fled from deputies into a canal and swam to a heavily wooded area.’
Taurean Wright, 34, led Hillsborough police on a wild six-hour chase Monday before being dramatically stopped by a K-9 unit.
Aerial footage then shows officers leading Wright out of the woods and handcuffing him.
Sheriff Chad Chronister of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office praised his team’s efforts, saying, “This arrest exemplifies the exceptional skill and teamwork of our specialized units.”
“Our officers worked quickly and tirelessly to ensure that this dangerous individual could not cause any further harm to our community.”
Lake Seminole in Pinellas County, which is not far from where Wright was located, is recognized as one of the ‘The most alligator-infested lakes’ in Florida.
