Florida deputy dragged by suspect trying to evade arrest
A man was arrested in Tampa after video allegedly showed him fleeing officers and resisting arrest. Courtesy: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
A Florida man accused of dragging a deputy "approximately 49 feet" while handcuffed is behind bars and facing a multitude of charges, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office says.
Authorities say body camera footage shows deputies contacting Keon Hodge, 28, at 7:15 p.m. Monday, in order to act on an active warrant.
Hodge allegedly pulled away while deputies were trying to serve the warrant, and began resisting.
Deputies used a single drive stun on Hodge, but it was not effective. They then used a second Taser, which HCSO says did not work.
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Keon Hodge is seen on bodycam footage dragging a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputy while handcuffed. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
"Hodge, who had one handcuff already placed, dragged a deputy approximately 49 feet and fled westbound on foot," HCSO said in a press release. The sheriff's office confirmed to Fox News Digital that the deputy Hodge allegedly dragged was female.
The department's aviation unit was able to follow Hodge, and video showed him trying to hide in a car lot nearby. The sheriff's office said their Aviation Unit then spotted him trying to remove the handcuff still on his wrist before hiding in a storage container.
A K9 and patrol deputies on the ground then located Hodge, who was hiding behind a hot water heater, HCSO said.
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Keon Rydell Hodge's booking photo following incident with HCSO deputies on Dec. 11, 2023. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
Bodycam footage showed the suspect eventually complying with orders, and getting out of the storage container.
"When it comes to teamwork, it couldn't be better displayed than what these deputies showed," Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. "After this man violently rejected the first attempt at his arrest, he now will face additional consequences for his despicable actions."
Keon Hodge, 28, is located by deputies hiding behind a water heater in a storage container. (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
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Hodge faces nine charges, according to online arrest records, including battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting officer with violence, prisoner escape or attempt to escape and others. As of Thursday morning, he was still in custody on $17,500 bond.
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