On 6-21-16 at 9:55 p.m., the Hernando County Sheriff Office Aviation and K-9 Units responded to the area of U.S. 41, in Masaryktown, to assist the Florida Highway Patrol with a driver who failed to pull over for a traffic stop.
The pursuit originated along Emerson Road where the driver, later identified as Justin Byrd W/M DOB/8-14-92, attempted to elude Troopers by traveling along U.S. 41 and Powell Road and eventually reaching Ayers Road.
While the vehicle was partially disabled by spike stripes deployed by the FHP, Byrd was able to make it to Masaryktown.
The vehicle eventually came to a stop near the area of Palaky Street and Wilson Boulevard.
Byrd proceeded to exit the vehicle and fled the area on foot.
Cpl. Stephen Miller, along with K-9 Justice, continued to track Byrd along Jackson Avenue.
A short time later Deputy Brandon Cox and K-9 Judge joined the pursuit.
With assistance from the Aviation Unit, Deputy Cox was able to locate Byrd behind a house on Hurban Street.
Deputy Cox then deployed K-9 Judge to subdue Byrd.
K-9 Judge bit Byrd on both hands. Once in custody, Byrd was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Byrd was arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol on charges of Driving Under the Influence, Fleeing and Eluding, Driving Without a License and Resisting Without Violence.
His bond was set at $5,000.