K-9 Bodi apprehends fleeing felon lost in woods

Historic City News received word that a St. Johns County man is in custody after fleeing into the woods to avoid capture this morning; thanks to sheriff’s deputies on the ground, in the air and assistance from a alert K-9 officer.

St. Johns County Sheriff’s Public Information officer, Sgt. Chuck Mulligan, identified the suspect to local news reporters as Allen David Shugart, 23 years-old, who resides at 341 Coopers Cove Road.

Shugart had an outstanding warrant for violation of probation on charges of uttering a forged instrument, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, burglary, and grand theft.

The Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip that Shugart was walking down Ritchie Dr. this morning. When Shugart was located by deputies, he fled. Deputies pursued the suspect on the ground as well as from the air. The suspect eluded deputies in the heavily wooded area.

Shugart was subsequently re-located on Wildwood Drive, across from Treaty Park, shortly after 11:00 a.m. and, again, fled into the woods. K-9 “Bodi” tracked Shugart and restrained him by biting him on the leg.

Shugart was taken into custody in the woods behind the 1100 block of Oak Ridge Road, just west of the railroad tracks.

In addition to the charges contained in the warrant, Shugart now faces charges of resisting arrest without violence and (2) counts of disruption of a school function as the search progressed by nearby schools.

Shugart was treated at the scene, arrested and booked into the County Jail — where he is being held without bond.