Arrested Escapee
Captured by U.S. Marshals Task Force Still Had Handcuffs On
CRESTVIEW, FL
-The U.S. Marshals North Florida Violent Fugitive Task Force, and
members from Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office apprehended Mansel
William Swaney, aka “Bill Swaney” 12 a.m. this morning. Swaney, 41,
of the 6000 block of Santee Road, is wanted in Kansas City, Missouri
for violating his parole after serving time for a conviction of
armed robbery. Upon his arrest, Swaney was also charged with
Providing Law Enforcement with a False Name and Theft. At the time
of his arrest, Swaney still had the handcuffs on his wrists, but
apparently had someone else cut the links off earlier.
Task Force members from Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office had
contacted deputy marshals earlier Sunday afternoon after Swaney had
escaped from an Okaloosa Patrol Deputy’s police cruiser. Swaney was
in the back of the cruiser after being arrested on Domestic Battery
charges; when he pulled his hands still in handcuffs out from
underneath his legs to the front and tried to kick the cruiser
window out. Eventually, he was able to get the window down and went
out head first and ran into nearby woods. Also on hand to assist was
Escambia County Sheriff’s Air Unit and the Florida Department of
Corrections bloodhounds. However, by the end of the day Swaney had
still not located. When Swaney escaped, he was wearing only boxer
shorts and the handcuffs.
“We (the Task Force) decided to stick it out to the end,” said Task
Force Coordinator Deputy Marshal Dominic Guadagnoli. “Based on the
weather and what he was wearing, we figured he couldn’t have gone
too far,” said Guadagnoli. “We were determined not to give up
without finding him,” he added.
The Task Force’s investigation eventually led them back to his house
where it all started. Once they were there, they determined there
were people inside who wouldn’t open the door. Eventually, with the
help of Okaloosa Patrol Units they gained entry into the residence.
Swaney was arrested without further incident and brought to the
Okaloosa County Jail. Also arrested was 19 year old Christopher
Wayne Munden who was charged with Providing a False Name to Law
Enforcement and Accessory After the Fact; when it was learned that
it was Munden who helped cut the handcuffs from Swaney. A car that
appeared to have been stolen from Alamo Rental Company was also
recovered.
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