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Police Dog Sniffs Out Burglary Suspect In Lithia Grove

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TBO.com

Published: September 15, 2008

Erick Allen

A man wanted on warrants accusing him of armed burglary and related charges was caught by a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office dog after he ran into an orange grove in Lithia, authorities said.

Erick William Allen, 25, of 11713 Lithia Pinecrest Road, Lithia, was tracked down by detectives on Friday near Bevin Hunter Lane. Allen ran into a grove and hid under an orange tree, sheriff's spokesman J.D. Callaway said.

That's when a sheriff's German shepherd named Titan sniffed Allen out and pulled him from the hiding place by the shorts, Callaway said.

Allen was wanted in connection with a Sept. 8 burglary of a Lithia home, Callaway said. The rear door of the house on Edison Road was kicked in and 18 rifles and handguns were taken from a safe, according to a criminal arrest affidavit.

Allen was arrested Friday and charged with 18 counts of grand theft of a firearm, 18 counts of a felon in possession of a firearm, armed burglary and criminal mischief. He was being held Monday without bail at Orient Road Jail.

At least nine of the firearms have been returned to the owner, deputies said.

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