‘ARMED AND DANGEROUS’ MAN WANTED OUT OF FLORIDA ARRESTED IN BURLESON CO.

  

Update @ 4:15 p.m.: The Burleson County Sheriff’s Office says a man wanted out of Florida on several charges who was considered “armed and dangerous” was taken into custody this (Thursday) morning after an overnight search.

According to a release from the sheriff’s office, Burleson County investigators and Texas Rangers learned on Wednesday that 47-year-old Todd Allen Wangler was possibly in the Burleson County area.  He was wanted by the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office in Florida on four charges, including Sexual Battery, Battery by Strangulation, Battery and False Imprisonment, and was sought by the U.S. Marshals Service on the charges.

At 6 p.m. Wednesday, investigators discovered that Wangler was potentially in the area of the 9400 block of County Road 333, north of Caldwell.  He fled the area on foot prior to officers arriving.  The sheriff’s office said he was armed with a small handgun and that he stated he would not go to jail “without a fight.”

Tracking dogs from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and a DPS helicopter were called to assist in locating Wangler, and the sheriff’s office notified residents within a five-mile radius of their search efforts.

Around 8:15 p.m., a possible sighting of Wangler was reported in the Chriesman area near County Road 308 and County Road 315.  Search efforts were shifted there, but the search was suspended at 3:45 a.m. today after Wangler’s track was lost and all leads were exhausted.

At daybreak today, multiple sheriff’s office units began patrolling the area of County Road 308, near the last sighting.  A resident reported seeing Wangler walking in a pasture in the 600 block of County Road 308 at around 8:30 a.m.  A sheriff’s investigator also spotted him from across a pasture entering into a wooded area within two minutes of the resident’s report.  He was taken into custody at 9:45 a.m.

A semi-automatic handgun was found along the railroad tracks near County Road 308 at County Road 315.

Investigation is ongoing to determine if anyone knowingly assisted Wangler while in Burleson County.

The sheriff’s office thanks the Texas Rangers, DPS, Caldwell police, the Texas Department of Corrections, Bryan Fire Marshals and the Milam County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the search, and also thanks citizens for their support.

Original Story @ 6:30 a.m.: The Burleson County Sheriff’s Office has suspended its search for a man wanted from out of state that they say is “armed and dangerous.”

The search for 47-year-old Todd Allen Wangler was put on hold at 3:45 a.m. today (Thursday), as the sheriff’s office said it has exhausted all leads.

Authorities searched for Wangler Wednesday night in the Chriesman area off of County Road 308, near the Burleson/Milam County line.  They also searched a few miles north of Caldwell in the 9400 block of County Road 333.

The sheriff’s office said Wangler is possibly on foot and armed with a firearm, and has a violent criminal history.

The public is encouraged to continue to report any suspicious activity.  The sheriff’s office will follow any new information as it becomes available.

Anyone who sees Wangler should call 911 and not approach.