Only in Florida: Man hides in bushes for three hours — What happened next? (Photo)

A suspicious-person call in Volusia County turned into a dramatic three-hour manhunt involving deputies, drones, a helicopter and a police dog. But the strangest part came when officers finally found the suspect.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — October 30, 2026 — A Florida man who allegedly threatened to shoot sheriff’s deputies and disappeared into thick vegetation near a national seashore was arrested Wednesday night after a bizarre confrontation with a police K-9.

According to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 6 p.m. on October 28, when deputies responded to a report of a suspicious person along South Atlantic Avenue in New Smyrna Beach.

When officers arrived, they encountered 37-year-old Bradford Kanan, who was reportedly sitting inside a vehicle.

What began as a routine investigation quickly escalated.

He Refused to Cooperate — Then Disappeared

Authorities said Kanan refused orders to exit his vehicle and allegedly threatened to shoot the responding deputies.

He then drove away, eventually reaching an area near the Canaveral National Seashore boat ramp.

Instead of surrendering, investigators said he abandoned his vehicle and disappeared into the surrounding vegetation.

Deputies launched an extensive search involving patrol officers, K-9 teams, drones and the sheriff’s office helicopter, known as Air One.

For nearly three hours, authorities searched the wooded and marshy area.

Just before 9 p.m., a police K-9 located Kanan crawling through palm fronds.

But finding him did not mean the confrontation was over.

What Happened Next Surprised Deputies

According to the sheriff’s office, Kanan became combative during his apprehension and fought with the police dog.

Local television reports, citing law enforcement accounts and body-camera footage, said he allegedly struck and bit the K-9 during the confrontation.

Deputies eventually restrained him and took him into custody.

Investigators said Kanan had claimed to possess a weapon and threatened to shoot officers, but no weapon was recovered during the initial investigation.

The suspect was transported to a hospital for medical evaluation before being taken to jail.

Authorities reported that no deputies were injured during the incident.

Multiple Criminal Charges

Kanan faces several criminal allegations arising from the encounter.

According to local reporting, the charges include aggravated assault on law enforcement officers, fleeing and eluding, resisting arrest, and battery involving a police K-9.

Additional allegations reported following his court appearance include battery on a law enforcement officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Authorities also confirmed that Kanan had an outstanding domestic violence warrant before the confrontation.

A judge subsequently ordered him held without bond on two of the charges, according to WFTV.

The charges remain allegations, and Kanan is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

A Three-Hour Search With an Unexpected Ending

The unusual case attracted attention across Central Florida, particularly because of the extensive search and the suspect’s alleged confrontation with the police dog.

What began as a call about a suspicious person ended with deputies searching the wetlands from the ground and air, locating a man hiding among palm leaves, and making an arrest following a struggle involving a K-9.

Body-camera footage released in connection with the incident provides another look at the confrontation.

Florida is no stranger to unusual police calls, but a three-hour search ending with a suspect allegedly fighting and biting a police dog is certainly an extraordinary incident.

DUANEWS — Your News. Your Voice.

Bradford Kanan (Volusia Sheriff’s Office)