Suncoast: This vehicle burglar probably didn’t think our K9s could swim. He was wrong.  

 

 

 

Suncoast: This vehicle burglar probably didn’t think our K9s could swim. He was wrong.

 
 

MCSO

 

Case Number: 2020-023360
Incident Type: Burglary, Vehicle Burglary, Fleeing to Elude, Obstruction Business/Subdivision:
Location: 7708 San Juan Ave, Palma Sola, Bradenton Zone: W60
Suspect(s): Robert BonAuito Race/Sex: W/M Suspect(s) D.O.B: 07/29/1986

 

At around 4:30 this morning (09/18/20) a suspicious person was seen on security cameras walking up to parked vehicles in what appeared to be an attempt to commit vehicle burglaries. Deputies were called to the area and quickly observed a subject on a bicycle. K9 units began a search for the subject who had ditched his bike and was now on foot in the Palma Sola area.

 

A few minutes later the MCSO aviation unit was overhead and spotted the suspect trying to hide in a backyard. The suspect then fled to the water and started swimming between boat docks off Palma Sola Blvd and buoys out in the bay.

 

Eventually, the suspect came back to shore where he was confronted by a K9 team. The suspect attempted to get away by going back into the water, but the K9 followed and engaged the suspect while in the water.

 

The suspect, identified as Robert BonAuito was treated by EMS at the scene for bites on both arms and then transported to Manatee Memorial Hospital.

 

During the incident, BonAuito was seen entering a pool cage and a vehicle burglary was confirmed through property discarded during his flight from deputies.

 

BonAuito was later booked in the Manatee County Jail on charges of Burglary, Vehicle Burglary, Fleeing to Elude, and Obstruction.