Manhunt For Florida Murder Suspect Ends In Atlanta

FROSTPROOF, FL — The manhunt for Florida murder suspect Taiwan Blandin came to an end over the weekend as Blandin was taken into custody in Atlanta following a carjacking and police chase.

"We are grateful that this violent, armed and dangerous suspect is in custody and his crime spree has come to an end," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd declared Monday in announcing Blandin's arrest.

Earlier this month Judd appeared at a news conference holding a wounded dog that belonged to an 80-year-old Frostproof woman who was murdered on Oct. 1 in an execution-style slaying for which Blandin is suspected.

In addition to that grisly murder, Blandin is also suspected of sexual battery on an 18-year-old Fort Meade woman earlier in the day. The woman told sheriff's deputies that she awoke to find Blandin "standing over her bed with rape on his mind.”

Later on the same day, Blandin was suspected of shooting an 81-year-old woman in a wheelchair when he allegedly opened fire on the 18-year-old after she managed to escape from the back of his car, where she had been hogtied.

"Based on the felonies he's racked up, he likely won't spend another day on the street," Judd said on Monday. "He's behind bars where he belongs."

Blandin was wanted in Florida for first-degree murder, first-degree arson, armed kidnapping, sexual battery with a deadly weapon, armed burglary, grand theft of a motor vehicle, grand theft of a firearm, tampering with physical evidence and other offenses.

He is also facing charges in Atlanta stemming from the carjacking of a Honda outside a convenience store around 2:30 a.m. Saturday.

"Atlanta Police officers spotted the stolen vehicle ... shortly after it was BOLO'ed in the area," explained Carrie Horstman of the Polk County Sheriff's Office. "When they attempted a traffic stop, Blandin fled and was apprehended after he crashed the stolen car and attempted to flee on foot."

Horstman said Blandin was shocked with a stun gun as he was being taken into custody by Atlanta police on charges of carjacking, escape and related offenses.

"There was a white female passenger in the car with him, and she was also arrested.," Horstman said. "She is a co-defendant from Atlanta."

Atlanta police found gloves and a handgun in the stolen car, according to Horstman.

Blandin allegedly made the 18-year-old Florida woman perform a sex act on him before driving her to the trailer of the murder victim. The murder victim's dog suffered a broken leg and cuts when a bullet from its owner passed through the animal's body. The dog named Kelly was to be turned over to family members.

"After he executed her, he piled plastic bottles and some kind of cloths on top of the stove, turned the stove on in an effort to set the mobile home on fire," Judd said earlier.

The elderly victim in the wheelchair was shot in the foot in Fort Meade, which is about 19 miles away from Frostproof.

Blandin was identified by the 18-year-old woman who remembered that he went to school with her brother.

The Frostproof murder victim was shot once in the stomach and once in the head in what Judd described as an execution.

"These are wonderful folks living in small, safe communities," Judd said at the time. "This is like the last place in the world you would ever expect a murderous rampage."

Blandin allegedly told his sister and brother that he didn't plan to give himself up. He is being held in the Fulton County Jail and is expected to be extradited to Florida. The sheriff's office said Blandin did not immediately provide a statement to Polk County detectives.

To report a tip, call the Heartland Crime Stoppers at 800-226-TIPS (8477).