Fugitive found ‘folded’ inside small dryer during search of Florida home, deputies say

A fugitive trying to outwit deputies was captured in the strangest of ways, when searchers thought to check a small dryer in the laundry room, according to investigators in the Florida Panhandle.

Tucked inside was a 31-year-old man folded up in ways that don’t seem humanly possible.

The discovery was made Friday, May 17, when the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was told a felony assault suspect was hiding out at a home southwest of Pensacola.

“With the assistance of our warrants unit, deputies entered the home and began to search,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

“After an extensive search, deputies proceeded to the laundry room, where they finally discovered (the man), folded, not so neatly inside a remarkably small dryer drum. The look on his face, a combination of guilt, embarrassment, and warm hosiery.”

A photo shared by the sheriff’s office on Facebook shows the man likely folded himself in half at the middle, then backed his way into the dryer drum. The suspect still managed to raise both hands when told to surrender, the photo shows.

“He was pulled from the dryer one limb at a time, as he clung to his tumble-ready hideout,” the sheriff’s office said.

“Outside the dryer, deputies removed three dryer sheets, two mismatched socks, and a crumpled-up tissue from his surprisingly wrinkled Star Wars shirt. He was taken into custody.”

The suspect was sought in connection with a March 15 incident that involved shooting into a home, officials said. He has been charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, damage to property/criminal mischief, weapon offense and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, jail records show.

This story was originally published May 21, 2024 at 8:04 AM with the headline "Fugitive found ‘folded’ inside small dryer during search of Florida home, deputies say."