K9 Rous helps apprehend accused felon

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

Edited to replace photo of K9 Ruger with K9 Rous

Montressa Kwauntrel Washington, 20, was arrested yesterday afternoon at a local hotel with the assistance of K9 Rous.

Washington was wanted on a warrant from a March 6 incident, with charges of assault with a deadly weapon, domestic battery, and domestic battery by strangulation; Washington was allegedly armed with a handgun during that incident. Alachua County Sheriff’s Office investigators received an anonymous tip on March 22 that Washington was at the Rodeway Inn on SW Williston Road.

Warrants Investigators set up outside the hotel in unmarked cars and waited for Washington to come out of the room. When he came out, the Warrants Investigators, along with K9 Rous and his handler, came out of their vehicles and gave him loud commands to get on the ground. Washington reportedly ignored the commands and walked to his vehicle. After Washington reportedly ignored more commands, a deputy grabbed his arm, at which point Washington allegedly pulled away from the deputy.

While Washington was being taken to ground by K9 Rous, a handgun fell out of his waistband. Washington was detained, and the handgun was secured.

The report notes that Washington does not have an active concealed weapons permit. Charges of carrying a concealed firearm without a permit and resisting arrest without violence have been added to the previous charges, and his bail has been set at $200,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.