Sheriff's Aviation, K-9 Units Are Extra Eyes in Sky And On Ground

TAMPA, FL — When Hillsborough County deputies need to catch someone on the lam from the law, they know they're not alone.

In two cases this week when suspects fled from deputies, they were backed up by two critical units at the sheriff's office: the aviation unit and the K-9 unit, said Sheriff Chad Chronister.

On Sunday at 8 p.m., deputies summoned the K-9 unit to the 100 block of Grand Regency Boulevard in Brandon to help deputies locate two people accused of fleeing after committing a grand theft, said the sheriff's office.

The dogs quickly tracked Thomas Tillman, 43, and Diala Baza, 30, to where they were hiding in a vehicle parked in an Extended Stay hotel parking lot near the scene.

The two were arrested and charged with felony grand theft.

"Thanks to the swift and meticulous efforts of our K-9 unit, two grand theft suspects are now behind bars," said Chronister. "Their quick response and thorough work ensured that we caught these criminals and demonstrated our deputies' commitment to keeping our community safe."

Then on Tuesday at 2 a.m., the sheriff's aviation unit led deputies to a man who fled after committing a series of car burglaries.

The helicopter searched the area and found the suspect hiding in the woods behind a neighborhood near the 9200 block of Waterbird Drive in Brandon, guiding the deputies on the ground to the man's location.

"I could not be more proud of our team in the sky and on the ground," said Chronister. "This serves as yet another testament to the invaluable role played by our aviation unit in ensuring the safety and security of our community."