WATCH: Brevard County Sheriff’s Office K-9 ‘Gator’ Takes Down Fleeing Suspect
By Wayne Ivey, Brevard Sheriff // February 22, 2025
Message from Sheriff Wayne Ivey
ABOVE VIDEO: Early this morning, Deputy Alexander Campagnone was on patrol in our South Precinct when he observed a vehicle driving down the wrong side of the road.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA—Early on Friday morning, Deputy Alexander Campagnone was on patrol in our South Precinct when he observed a vehicle driving down the wrong side of the road.
As the vehicle came to a stop sign the driver slowly made a turn and continued driving as Deputy Campagnone pulled in behind him and attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
At one point, the driver appeared to be pulling over into a parking lot, but then quickly decided to gun it and I guess hope for the best.
He turned again, this time into oncoming traffic in an attempt to make it back to his house, but Deputy Campagnone was still hot on his tail.
The driver pulled into a driveway and quickly ran into a residence with Deputy Campagnone following right behind him.
As the suspect exited the residence, additional Deputies on scene attempted to take him into custody, but the suspect decided that the fight was on. He began kicking and elbowing Deputies as he escaped with just enough room to hide under a large trailer.
Even after being tased the suspect would not give up so our Deputies decided to go with plan “B.”
Well folks, plan “B” is where K9 Gator makes his appearance with Deputy Lance Behringer on the other end of the lead.
As you might imagine, it didn’t take long for K9 Gator to grab hold of the suspect and pull him out by the foot.
I’m sure Gator would have preferred a meatier bite, but some days a shoe will have to do!! The best part of the night was hearing the driver, Piter Garcia-Murillo screaming and whining like a little baby as ole K9 Gator took a bite out of crime.
In addition to getting their suspect, Deputies also located 4 open beer cans in the vehicle, which explains why Garcia-Murillo was trying to run from our Deputies.
Ultimately Garcia-Murillo was detained and charged with Fleeing and Eluding, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Deprive Officer of Means of Protection Communication, Resisting With Violence, DUI, and Operating a Vehicle Without A License.
Oh and here is the real kicker, Garcia-Murillo is in our country illegally!! Once again, we have someone here illegally in our country, who put our citizens and Deputies lives at risk!! Great job to our Deputies for all their hard work, and of course to K9 Gator and Deputy Behringer for taking a bite of crime.
If you take away anything from this story folks always remember…”Gator don’t play that here in Brevard County!”
– Sheriff Wayne Ivey
