Man Arrested After Firing at Deputies During Vehicle Burglary Investigation in Manatee County
A 25-year-old man is in custody after reportedly firing at Manatee County deputies and fleeing during a vehicle burglary investigation late Sunday night, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to a home on 52nd Place East around 11:44 p.m. on November 2 following reports of a man dressed in black clothing and a ski mask breaking into vehicles. The suspect, identified as Dayton Harris, allegedly ran from deputies and fired a gun in their direction before fleeing across State Road 70 into a nearby wooded area.
A perimeter was established with assistance from K-9 and aviation units, who located a firearm, ski mask, and other evidence in the area. The search continued into the early morning hours of November 3. Around 4:30 a.m., a citizen reported seeing a man matching Harris’s description entering an abandoned trailer at the Westwind Mobile Home Park.
Deputies responded with K-9 support and located Harris, who was taken into custody without further incident. No injuries were reported during the incident.
Harris faces multiple charges, including armed burglary, aggravated assault on law enforcement, resisting arrest, and criminal mischief. The sheriff’s office said the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming.
