PINELLA PARK, FL. – The armed suspect was arrested after he dragged an officer with a stolen vehicle and barricaded himself in the Comfort Inn and Suites hotel room on Ulmerton Road for about 12 hours, authorities said.
The man, later identified as 49-year-old Walter Brios, long criminal history with more than 40 arrests, according to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.
On Wednesday night, Pinellas Park police said the man had barricaded himself inside a hotel room at a Comfort Inn and has been in a standoff with authorities.
Police said Wednesday night they received a call about a suspected stolen vehicle at Sam’s Club on Park Boulevard North. When a Pinellas Park Police Officer arrived, a man and woman approached the vehicle.
Investigators say the man claimed the vehicle belonged to him, started to place groceries inside the car, and attempted to drive away.
Police say the passenger-side door of the car was open, and an officer entered the vehicle but was thrown from the car as the suspect sped away.
According to investigators, the police office suffered only minor cuts when thrown from the car.
The officer proceeded to follow the suspect for a short distance, but backed off because of the suspects erratic driving.
Investigators tracked the man to the Comfort Inn and Suites on Ulmerton Road, where the man refuses to come out.
Officials said they believed the man was armed and is a career felon, with previous violent run-ins with police. The SWAT team was called to the scene at around 10 PM Wednesday night.
Pinellas County Sheriff closed eastbound and westbound Ulmerton Road from 49th Street North to Feathersound Drive , but have since reopened.
This is a developing story and we will update this as details are released.
Other News: Hernando and Pasco County Victims Avoid An “Old Scam With A New Twist”