Pasco K9 tracks down suspect who tried to kidnap child, deputies say

NEW PORT RICHEY (FOX 13) - A Pasco County K9 took down a man who tried to kidnap a child, deputies say.

On Monday, deputies with the Pasco County Sheriff's Office responded to a call for battery and the attempted kidnapping. They said the suspect, later identified as 24-year-old Kevin Wilson, arrived at a home on Castine Street in New Port Richey and climbed up to a second-floor window. For unspecified reasons, the mother allowed him inside, and he grabbed her child after an argument.

Deputies said there is a no-contact order in place, stating Wilson cannot have contact with the mother or to enter the home. The child's uncle grabbed his gun and confronted Wilson in the front yard, deputies said. The child was released and Wilson left the home.

Wilson fled in a car, but abandoned it after it crashed, deputies said, and ran into a nearby wooded area at Ridge Road and Moon Lake Road. Several schools went into "controlled campus" as an air unit and K9 'Titan' were deployed.

Sgt. Ferguson and Titan found Wilson running through the woods. Titan and latched onto Wilson's arm with his teeth. The Pasco County Sheriff's Office released body camera video of the apprehension.

One deputy is heard commanding Wilson to turn onto his stomach, or else he would not tell Titan to let go. Eventually, he was arrested.

Wilson faces several charges including interference with custody and child neglect.