K-9 Catches Homicide Suspect Hiding in Baby's Crib, Police Say

A man wanted in connection with a March 15 homicide was found hiding in a child's crib and was bitten on the arm by a K-9 before being taken into custody Tuesday, St. Petersburg Police said.

Detectives found Morris Hires, 18, hiding in a child's crib inside his home in the 500 block of 26th Avenue South around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, officials said.

Hires was tracked down by a police K-9 and was bitten on the arm by the dog during the course of the arrest as he resisted attempts to be taken into custody, police spokesperson Mike Puetz said.

Hires had been sought in connection with the March 15 shooting death of 21-year-old Felicia Vickers, which occurred outside Hires' home.

Investigators say Vickers was a passenger in a car with several other people when they stopped in front of the home to buy drugs. One of the occupants got into an argument with Hires, who was standing outside the car and at some point pulled out a handgun and fired into it, police say.

Vickers was dropped off at a nearby hospital and later pronounced dead.

Hires was expected to be charged with second-degree murder, Puetz said.

The U.S. Marshals Service assisted police in Tuesday's arrest.

Related Coverage

• UPDATE: Gunshot Victim Dies at St. Petersburg Hospital
• Suspect Identified in Fatal Shooting 

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