Police: Man Tries to Strangle Victim, Is Found in Swamp by Dog

A man who allegedly tried to strangle a woman was later found hiding by a Largo Police dog in a heavily wooded, swampy area early Tuesday morning.

According to an arrest affidavit, William Sargent Coffin, 31, of Largo, entered a Largo residence after 3 a.m. on Dec. 4 and "put his arm around the victim's neck, his hand over her mouth, took her to the ground, and stated, 'If you call 911 or scream for (the help of someone else in the house) I'll kill you,' " police report.

The victim did scream, and someone in the house came from a bedroom and pushed Coffin off of the victim. Coffin left the house, and Largo Police were called to the scene. The victim reportedly sustained injuries to her face and neck, police report.

When police arrived, they found Coffin hiding in a heavily-wooded, swampy area with the help of a police dog. Police directed Coffin to get out of the woods, but he refused to leave. A police dog named Fritz was used to prevent Coffin from going deeper into the woods and swamp. Officers entered the woods and escorted Coffin out, according to an arrest affidavit.

Coffin was arrested on the charges of burglary with battery and resisting an officer without violence. He was awaiting trial in Pinellas County Jail as of Dec. 6.