Mileslong search ends with wanted man in custody Wednesday

A man wanted on a litany of charges is behind bars after an extensive search by the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Tuscaloosa Police Department.

Petro Arenas, 32, was wanted on active warrants in addition to a suspected vehicle theft, and on April 12 around 2 p.m. the vehicle was found abandoned.

A TCSO K-9 caught Arenas’ scent and investigators found shoe prints suggesting Arenas had run from the car. More tracks were found near the end of Sullivan Road, where K-9 Sjores and his handler tracked the scent and tracks for about 2 miles.

During their tracking, drone operators kept a lookout overhead and detected movement in the heavily wooded area. Deputies issued commands, Arenas complied, and he was taken into custody without incident just after 8 p.m. after leading investigators on a nearly 7-mile trek lasting more than three and a half hours.

Three drones were deployed and Tuscaloosa Police provided air support during the search.

“By diligent training, excellent equipment and relentless determination from all involved, this operation was a successful team effort in every aspect,” said TCSO Chief Alex Miles. “The Criminal Investigations Division, along with the Crime Suppression Unit that includes Deputy Cleveland and his K-9 partner Sjores, did an excellent job of completing the last leg of the track.”Everyone involved should be commended for their part in taking the suspect into custody and getting him off the street.”

Arenas is being held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail on six warrants without bond. More charges may follow.