PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WWSB) - A Punta Gorda man who had gotten away from deputies twice after high-speed chases was finally captured by a four-legged lawman.

The suspect, identified as Richard Howard Schumacher, 35. fled from Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office deputies on two separate occasions; on Sept. 14 in a pickup truck and Sept. 27 on a motorcycle, the sheriff’s office said.

In each case, Schumacher, who does not have a valid driver’s license, ignored emergency lights and sirens of the deputies and fled at a high rate of speed, running stop signs and traffic lights, deputies said.

Out of concern for the safety of the public, the deputies in both incidents broke off their pursuit.

On Sept. 29, just before 2 p.m., a K-9 unit a homeless camp where Schumacher was believed to be.

Deputie

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