He locked an ex-girlfriend out of her apartment, Hernando deputies said.

SPRING HILL –  A sheriff’s K-9 nabbed a suspect from where he was hiding under his ex-girlfriend’s bed, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said.

James Edward Soard, 49, of Brooksville, was charged with one count each of Burglary of Dwelling, Criminal Mischief, and Resist/Obstruct Officer w/o Violence. Deputies said that Soard victimized the same woman in a similar case less than 45 days ago and that he will be held on a no bond status as he violated a pre-trial intervention program.

Just after 5 p.m. Tuesday (Jan. 15), deputies said they were dispatched to the Spring Haven Apartments regarding a residential burglary.

Upon arrival, deputies met with a woman who told them that her ex-boyfriend, Soard, came to her apartment around 5 p.m. Monday (Jan. 14) but she did not let him in. She told deputies she believed that Soard slept in a vehicle in the parking lot overnight.

On Tuesday at an unknown time, Soard knocked on the door again, this time forcing his way inside when the woman went to see who was at the door. Not wanting to fight with Soard, the woman went back to sleep.

When she woke up just after 4 p.m., deputies said, Soard began arguing with her and acting hysterical. she left the apartment to avoid conflict. When she returned to the apartment a short time later, she discovered that Soard had locked her out. She called deputies.

Deputies knocked on the apartment door but Soard did not respond. After several attempt to establish contact with Soard (through the door), deputies began hearing the sounds of Soard screaming and throwing things around the apartment.

The woman gave permission to the deputies to make entry into her apartment and the complex manager provided deputies with a key to the unit.

Deputies unlocked the door with the key but were unable to go inside because Soard had barricaded the door. Deputies used a sledgehammer to get into the apartment.

K-9 Deputy Greg Locke then made several announcements for anyone inside to present themselves otherwise the K-9 would be deployed. When no one presented, K-9 Argo was sent into the apartment.

Argo indicated that someone was present inside the master bedroom, where deputies were again confronted with a barricaded door. Again, the door was breached and announcements made for anyone inside the bedroom to come out. When no one came out, Argo was sent inside the bedroom.

Argo located Soard hiding under the bed.Argo bit Soard and dragged him out from under the bed to awaiting deputies. As deputies attempted to place Soard in custody, they said he continued to resist arrest before being taken into custody.

Soard was taken to a hospital to be treated and medically cleared for the dog bite before being taken to the Hernando County Detention Center. Medical staff determined that Soard was under the influence of both alcohol and methamphetamine.

Photo shows James Edward Soard, left, and K-9 Argo. Courtesy of the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.

Hernando Sheriff | Crime | Arrests | Tampabay News

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