A pursuit of a reported stolen Nissan Altima in Marion County ended abruptly when the vehicle’s tires were punctured and came off, the driver bolted on foot — reportedly holding up his shorts — and a K-9 tracked him to a hiding spot under a parked car.
What Happened
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Sgt. Christmas spotted the stolen Altima on Aug. 1 at about 5:25 p.m. near Northeast Jacksonville Road and Northeast 35th Street. When additional deputies and the department’s Air One helicopter responded, Sgt. Christmas attempted a traffic stop. Instead of stopping, the driver fled.
Air One continued to follow the vehicle from the air while ground units repositioned. Deputy Sampedro deployed stop sticks along Northeast Highway 314; investigators say the driver, later identified as Chad Cordrey, ran directly over them. The tires were punctured, and deputies say they were so badly damaged they eventually came off the vehicle.
Foot Pursuit and K-9 Apprehension
When the disabled Nissan stopped, Cordrey abandoned it and ran on foot through a nearby yard. The sheriff’s office noted that the suspect appeared to be holding up his shorts while fleeing. Local residents pointed deputies and the K-9 team in the right direction.
K-9 Cpl. DeMarco and his partner, K-9 Koen, tracked Cordrey to a hiding place beneath a parked vehicle. Koen bit and held the suspect until deputies could reach him. The sheriff’s office said Cordrey grabbed the dog’s snout and refused commands while under the vehicle; deputies then extracted him and placed him in handcuffs.
Charges and Aftermath
Cordrey was transported to the Marion County Jail and faces charges including grand theft, fleeing and eluding law enforcement, and resisting arrest. The sheriff’s office also noted that he is a registered sex offender. No further details about bond or court dates were released in the agency statement.
“Koen took a literal bite out of crime,” the sheriff’s office said, adding a lighthearted note about the suspect’s missing belt as deputies shared details of the unusual pursuit.
Public Reaction
The arrest drew online attention, with many commenters praising Air One, the deputies, and especially K-9 Koen. Remarks ranged from playful praise for the dog to calls for additional charges after Cordrey allegedly grabbed the K-9’s snout.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office credited the combination of aerial surveillance, community assistance, and the K-9 unit for the swift arrest.
