Police K9 Captures Fleeing DUI Suspect

A suspect wanted in Indian Rocks Beach was caught in Clearwater Tuesday by two police dogs, after the 29-year-old man crashed his Mercedes into some palm trees.

Ivo N. Santos was arrested and charged with driving under the influence after driving onto a median on south Clearwater Beach, according to police.

Santos, who had fled Indian Rocks Beach, caught the attention of a Clearwater officer who heard his Mercedes crash at the intersection of South Gulfview Boulevard and Gulf Boulevard at around 2:12 a.m. Tuesday.

Santos, 29, ran from his vehicle, police said. Santos was found hiding behind a nearby hotel by two K9 teams, according to investigators.

Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies came to the scene because Santos fled from them near Indian Rocks Beach.

Santos was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a crime with property damage, driving while license is suspended or revoked, obstructing an officer without violence. Other charges from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office are pending, according to Clearwater Police.