Highlands County Sheriff’s Office News (PIO) — There is never a good location to encounter the business end of a law enforcement K-9. Getting shut inside a closet with one of them, however, might be one of the worst places.
That’s what happened to 30-year-old Brian James Prescott on Thursday, Aug. 30, when he tried to hide from the Tactical Anti-Crime Team at a home on White Oak Road.
The TAC Team learned that Prescott, who had an active warrant for grand theft, was at the home and went to make the arrest. They saw Prescott through a window, but he ran into a bedroom and refused to come out. Since there was a large amount of ammunition visible both outside and inside the residence, the TAC Team secured the perimeter and called in Deputy Cory Tomblin and his partner, Remco, a Belgian malinois.
The TAC Team had given Prescott multiple warnings that Remco was on the way, but got no answer. Once Tomblin arrived, he also gave several warnings that Remco would be coming in, but also got no answer. Remco was sent into the room, and alerted on a closed closet door. Yet another warning was given. Before Tomblin could get to the door to open it, Remco used his snout to push his way inside and latched onto Prescott’s lower leg.
That’s when the closet door got knocked shut.
Prescott wouldn’t (or couldn’t) open the door, forcing Tomblin to kick it in. Prescott was still resisting, and had to be forcibly pulled out of the closet. He continued to resist efforts to place him in handcuffs, despite Remco’s continued persuasion.
After he was in custody, while waiting on EMS treatment and a ride to the hospital, Prescott said he had heard the multiple warnings, but thought Tomblin was “bluffing” and they would leave if he didn’t come out.
In addition to the warrant, Prescott was also booked on charges of resisting arrest.
Note: All arrests do not result in convictions. Everyone is considered innocent until proven guilty in court.
