A Marion County sheriff’s K-9 deputy and his dog are being lauded for nabbing a man who recently broke into an occupied home.
A resident called sheriff’s deputies for help after his dog started barking the in the early morning hours of Dec. 27. The man went to investigate and heard someone talking inside his home, a report states.
The victim opened his door and saw a man later identified as 44-year-old Christopher Watson, of Ocala, going through the clothes in his laundry room. When confronted by the homeowner, Watson fled on foot, the report says.
A short time later, sheriff’s K-9 Cpl. Alan Lee and his partner, Zeus, arrived at the residence. Zeus started a track through a nearby wooded area and located Watson hiding behind a large tree.
Watson was taken into custody and transported to the Marion County Jail, where he was charged with unarmed burglary of an occupied structure and held without bond. He’s due in court on Jan. 28 at 9 a.m. to answer to the charge.