A Manatee County K-9 sheriff deputy literally took a bite out of crime.
Mason Bannister, 26, of Holmes Beach, was arrested by deputies for carjacking, aggravated battery and burglary of unoccupied conveyances.
Law enforcement was dispatched to the Shell gas station, 8471 Lockwood Ridge, Sarasota, at 9:58 a.m. July 20 after a store clerk was “viciously and suddenly headbutted” by a man who met the description of Mason Bannister, according to an MCSO report.
MCSO arrived at the Shell and found a victim with a swollen and bloody lip, holding one of his front teeth in a paper towel.
Witnesses told police a man tried to pay with a card that wouldn’t process, attacked the store clerk and knocked him to the floor.
The attacker was seen on a store video, grabbing his food and ducking under a camera as he exited the store.
MCSO dispatchers broadcast a be-on-the-lookout report for Bannister, who was later reported as the perpetrator in a nearby attempted carjacking in which the victim refused to leave the car and also an attempted car burglary.
At Lockwood Ridge and Vintage Drive, MCSO searched and apprehended the suspect with help from a K-9 deputy. The K-9 bit the suspect.
Bannister was transported to Lakewood Ranch Medical Center for treatment.
At Bannister’s first appearance in 12th Circuit Court, a probable cause hearing was postponed for 48 hours due to his hospitalization.
He was next transported to the Manatee County jail, where he was held without bond as of Aug. 2.
His arraignment is set for 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 23, in the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.