MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A man in Manatee County, Florida, allegedly stole a car, broke into a house and then injured a sheriff’s K-9, officials say.
According to a news release from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, just after 4 p.m. on Friday, deputies found a stolen car in a Walmart parking lot near State Road 64 East. When the driver saw the deputies, he allegedly intentionally hit the MCSO patrol vehicle with the stolen car before driving over a shopping cart corral.
According to WFLA, deputies reached out for assistance and the sheriff’s office aerial unit was able to spot the stolen car along U.S. 301. The aerial unit followed the car as it ran off the road and crashed into a fence.
The driver of the stolen car was identified by MCSO as Christopher Darlington.
After the cars, Darlington got out of the car and allegedly broke into an empty house in the area. According to MCSO, deputies set up a perimeter around the house and provided commands to him to come out but he refused.
K-9 Loki found him armed with two large knives inside the master bedroom of the house. When Loki approached, Darlington allegedly “swung the blades” at Loki, cutting his nose and face, according to MCSO.
Darlington was then taken into custody, said MCSO.
Loki, 7, a Belgian Malinois, was taken to a local veterinarian for treatment, according to MCSO.
According to WFLA, Loki got 12 stitches and is expected to make a full recovery in about two weeks. MCSO said not other deputies were injured.
During Darlington’s arrest, MCSO said deputies found a “trafficking quantity of suspected fentanyl” on him as well as something he allegedly took from the house he broke into. Darlington had two outstanding warrants for contempt of court prior to this incident.
According to WFLA, he is also being charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, felony criminal mischief, armed burglary, aggravated battery on a police canine and trafficking fentanyl, in addition to the two warrants.
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