Fugitive hiding in attic arrested after ceiling collapses

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

Devin Iniko Munguia, 24, who had active warrants for felony fraud in Alachua County and a violation of probation charge out of Putnam County for robbery with a weapon, was arrested yesterday at his mother’s home in Hawthorne.

At about 1:07 p.m. on October 11, Munguia’s mother called 911 to report that her son was sleeping at her home. Several marked Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ASO) units responded to the home; a deputy knocked on the door and heard a male voice asking, “Who is it?” After he identified himself as a Sheriff’s Deputy, the male voice stopped responding. Deputies contacted the mother, who said she believed her son was still inside the house and was last seen climbing on a chair near an air conditioning vent. She added that she saw dust moving near the air vent.

Deputies surrounded the home and waited until the home was clear of people and animals, then began making verbal announcements, ordering Munguia to exit the attic and surrender. The orders to surrender started around 1:50 p.m. More ASO specialty units responded, including a vehicle with a PA system and a K-9 unit. A total of thirteen deputies responded to this incident.

While clearing the residence, a large part of the ceiling fell down near an air vent, exposing Munguia’s hands. He eventually exited the attic around 3:34 p.m. and was placed into custody without incident. Munguia was charged with resisting without violence on top of the existing felony warrants.