A multi-agency manhunt in Polk County ended early Thursday when a sheriff’s K9 tracked a wanted Tampa man into thick brush and helped pull him out of hiding, authorities said.
According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Oestreich and his partner, K9 Ace, followed the suspect’s scent through the Wind Meadows South area before zeroing in on him near Crew Lake Road and Yarborough Lane. Investigators say the 26-year-old briefly grabbed Ace in what appeared to be an attempt to interrupt the takedown, but he was taken into custody without further incident.
The search started on May 28, when Bartow Police began canvassing the Wind Meadows South neighborhood after an alleged battery at a residence and because the same suspect had an outstanding warrant tied to an aggravated-assault case from March 11, per the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Deputies and K9 teams helped set up a perimeter and joined the hunt, and Oestreich’s hand-and-dog team eventually traced the man into the woods. The sheriff’s office later posted an announcement about the arrest after the operation wrapped up.
Police identified the suspect as 26-year-old Jose Daniel Villa of Tampa. He was transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center after his arrest, as reported by the Tampa Free Press. In addition to the battery allegation and the earlier warrant, Villa now faces added counts that include resisting an officer with and without violence, trespassing and battery of a police canine. Officials said deputies completed the track, secured the scene and then took Villa into custody.
Charges and next steps
Per the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the extra charges were added after deputies and K9 Ace located Villa and he was transported to the county processing center. Prosecutors will now review the case and decide whether to file formal charges, with the battery of a police canine and resisting-with-violence counts among the allegations on their desk.
Local context
When the search moved into heavy brush, Bartow Police requested help from the sheriff’s office to establish a wider perimeter, a standard move when officers need more bodies and more eyes to keep everyone safe, according to reporting by the Tampa Free Press. Investigators have not released additional information about the victims or the alleged battery, and anyone with details is asked to contact Bartow Police or the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
