Escaped Florida Felon Who Allegedly Faked Injury Screams in Agony as K-9 Drags Him from Hiding Spot in Woods

A dramatic scene unfolded in Flagler County, Florida, as authorities captured a 29-year-old inmate who attempted to escape by faking an injury. Anthony Romine's audacious plan was thwarted when a law enforcement K-9 tracked him down in a wooded area near a gas station, leading to a chaotic arrest that left him screaming in pain.

The Escape

Romine was initially incarcerated on July 3, facing charges including petty theft, violation of pre-trial release, and counterfeiting. While in custody, he claimed to have fallen and required medical attention, a ruse that allowed him to momentarily evade law enforcement. However, his escape was short-lived, lasting approximately seven hours.

The Capture

On Saturday, the Flagler County Sheriff's K-9 team was deployed to locate Romine after receiving multiple tips about his whereabouts. The K-9 successfully tracked him to a dense thicket where he was hiding beneath foliage. Video footage from the arrest shows the K-9 dragging Romine by his arm as he pleaded for help, exclaiming, "Get him please!" and "Alright, I'll go," while deputies warned him to stop resisting.

Community Involvement

During his brief flight from justice, the community played a crucial role by reporting sightings of Romine, demonstrating the importance of vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement and residents. Sheriff Rick Staly praised the community's efforts, stating, "We worked until we got him. I commend our team for staying on his trail, and the community for 'seeing something, saying something' until this dirtbag was captured."

Consequences of the Escape

Romine's escape attempt only added to his list of charges, which now includes felony escape and battery on a law enforcement officer without violence. The sheriff's office confirmed that an investigation would be launched to determine how the deputy assigned to Romine became distracted, allowing him to flee in the first place.

Conclusion

In the end, Romine's attempt to return to Ohio was thwarted, and he was left with additional charges and a painful reminder of his failed escape. The incident serves as a reminder of the effectiveness of law enforcement and community collaboration in maintaining public safety. As Sheriff Staly aptly noted, "All he accomplished was to add additional arrests to his list of crimes and got bitten by our K-9, who gets a special treat for taking 'a bite out of crime' when he tried to flee again."