Crime & Safety

Man, Woman Caught 'Prowling' Behind Cycle Alley

The two fled when a deputy approached the pair standing in the dark; man says he thought officer was woman's husband.

A man and a woman were arrested Friday after a deputy found them behind , at 6821 U.S. 19 in New Port Richey.

According to a Pasco County complaint affidavit, the two were observed behind the closed business standing in the dark, "not engaged in behavior that was usual for law-abiding citizens." When the deputy tried to make contact, both defendants fled on foot.

According to the affidavit, when the deputy caught up with the woman, she stated "that she was preparing to engage in prostitution behind the business."

Find out what's happening in New Port Richeyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

While the woman was detained by another deputy, the responding deputy deployed a K-9 and tracked the man, who was lying down in the woods west of 5112 Beau Lane, the report stated.

Following his arrest, the man, who has a tattoo on his arm that says "Family," told deputies that the woman was a prostitute and he fled the area because he thought the officer was her husband who "was coming to rob him," the report stated.

Find out what's happening in New Port Richeyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

David Arnold Hanshew, 26, and Sharon Lee Haines, 42, both of New Port Richey were each charged with loitering and prowling.

Haines and Hanshew were released from the Land O' Lakes jail Saturday afternoon.

Haines also faces charges of prostitution in a Jan. 12 arrest.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.