CRESTVIEW, Fla. — A man who led deputies on multiple pursuits last month and was accused of battering a woman and stealing her car has been taken into custody following a brief standoff near Crestview, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office announced.
Richard Zach Wagner, 32, had been wanted on several felony and misdemeanor warrants and was the subject of an ongoing search since early April. Deputies located Wagner at a residence on Antioch Road, where he reportedly barricaded himself inside before being taken into custody without injury.
The arrest follows a series of incidents in April involving multiple agencies.
Mr Wagner initially fled from a deputy on April 2 after being spotted riding a UTV near Highway 90 and Hibiscus Road. He reportedly ran into nearby woods and later escaped in a vehicle in the Northwoods Road area.
Later that same night, Wagner was accused of battering the woman who picked him up and forcefully taking her vehicle in Baker. The following morning, he was spotted again on Highway 85 in Laurel Hill driving the stolen car. Deputies say he fled at high speed before crashing in Alabama and fleeing on foot.
Multiple agencies, including the Florida Highway Patrol, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, local police departments, and correctional institutions, assisted in the earlier search.
Mr Wagner was transported to the Okaloosa County Jail. The Sheriff’s Office said additional charges may follow.
