Battery Suspect Escapes in Handcuffs, Burglary Suspect Says “I did a lot of coke”

SPRING HILL – Sheriff’s Deputies had their hands full today, after a battery suspect escaped custody, while still in handcuffs, and another attempted to burglarize at least three residences.

Official reports have not been released but according to sources, around noon today a deputy made contact with battery suspect, 33-year-old Nathan Emerson Strauss in the area of Trenton Ave. Sources say when the deputy placed handcuffs on Strauss he fled on foot into the Timber Pines Subdivision. K-9 was dispatched to the area and numerous deputies began searching the gated community and surrounding neighborhoods. A K-9 unit was able to locate Strauss hiding in a drainage tunnel and was subsequently bitten by K-9 before being taken into custody.

Strauss was transported to Oak Hill Hospital for treatment and later booked into the Hernando County Jail.

Strauss is charged with Battery, Battery on a LEO, and Escape. He is currently held without bond.

A second incident occurred around 3:00 p.m. this afternoon in the areas of Marysville Street and Everett Ave.

According to unconfirmed reports, at least two victims on Marysville Street reported that a man had tried to enter their homes without permission. A third victim on Everett Ave also filed an attempted burglary report.

One witness followed the suspect, who was later identified as 22-year-old Dallas Scarpati, until deputies caught up with him on a service road near Mariner Blvd and Hearth Road.

During an interview with deputies, Scarpati advised “I did a lot of coke” and requested Fire Rescue. Scarpati was transported to a local hospital but is expected to face several charges upon his release.

Scarpati has a long history of arrests, including fraud, theft, battery, and dealing in stolen property.

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