ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. --
The escape of a suspect on his way to the Orange County jail is under investigation Monday morning. Investigators said a deputy arrested Fabian Contreras for allegedly shoplifting at a 7-Eleven on South Orange Blossom Trail, Sunday.
The deputy rolled down the window of his cruiser for ventilation as they approached the jail. That's when he said Contreras wiggled out of his handcuffs, opened his door and ran into a nearby retention pond.
"Even after they had him in the cat tails, he even fought with officers in the boat, continued to fight, punch, swinging, kicking," said Cmdr. Jeff Stonebreaker of the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies used a helicopter, K-9 units and an airboat to quickly find Contreras. He is charged with resisting arrest and battery on a law enforcement officer along with his other charges.
