👤 Who: Anthony Mcleod, K9 Beau, Deputy Tim Patterson, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Okaloosa and Walton Correctional Institution teams, Sheriff Eric Aden
📌 What: Apprehension of a fugitive wanted on domestic battery and criminal mischief charges
📅 When: Saturday, following incidents reported September 24 and September 26
📍 Where: Swamp area off Bill Lundy Road, Okaloosa County; incidents occurred in Laurel Hill and near Crestview
❓ Why: Mcleod was evading arrest after allegedly committing domestic battery against at least two victims
An Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit, assisted by teams from the Okaloosa and Walton Correctional Institutions, arrested 47-year-old Anthony McLeod of Laurel Hill Saturday after a multi-hour search through swamp terrain off Bill Lundy Road.
Deputies say McLeod ran into a swamp area in an effort to evade capture. The search involved K9 Beau and Deputy Tim Patterson, as well as the OCSO Drone Unit, which helped coordinate the search from the air.
“McLeod was located and taken into custody thanks to the great effort of all law enforcement personnel who worked in very challenging conditions,” said Sheriff Eric Aden.
Mcleod was wanted on multiple domestic battery charges involving at least two separate victims. According to reports to deputies, in the first incident on September 24, a victim alleged that McLeod pulled handfuls of her hair at a home on Second Avenue in Laurel Hill. Another victim reported that on September 26, McLeod hit her and pulled her hair at a residence off State Road 85 near Crestview.
In addition to these incidents, deputies say McLeod had outstanding warrants. Following his arrest, he was transported to the Okaloosa County Jail in Crestview. He is currently charged with four counts of domestic battery and criminal mischief with property damage.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office highlighted the teamwork and coordination between the K9 unit, correctional institution teams, and the drone unit as critical to McLeod’s apprehension. Authorities said that operations like these can be physically and mentally challenging due to the difficult terrain and conditions involved in tracking suspects in swamp areas.
This arrest follows recent efforts by local law enforcement to address domestic violence in Okaloosa County. Deputies urge anyone with information regarding domestic incidents or other crimes to contact the sheriff’s office.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
Register or login with Mid Bay News and never get another pop up on our site!
