The Hernando County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Highway Patrol arrested a man on Thursday following a pursuit through three counties and a 5-hour manhunt.

  • David Russell Frey II, 36, found hiding in a barn
  • Frey led troopers on a chase in stolen car
  • Frey's passenger detained when he abandoned the car

Officials said a man, who was driving a stolen vehicle, fled from FHP when they attempted to conduct a traffic stop in Sumter County.  The suspect, David Russell Frey II, 36, lead troopers through Sumter, Hernando, and finally into Pasco County.

The pursuit ended near State Road 50 and Strickland Trail with what officials called a PIT (Pursuit Intervention Technique) manuever. The suspect then fled on foot from the stolen vehicle.

A female passenger in the stolen car, Tatiana Santillan, 29, was detained at the scene and later taken to a hospital for minor injuries.

Working with deputies from Hernando and Pasco Counties, troopers eventually cornered Frey in a barn in the area of Dashbach Street and Kettering Road. The manhunt for Frey lasted roughly five hours.

Frey was charged with reckless driving, aggravated fleeing and eluding, driving while license suspended, aggravated assault, burglary, grand theft of a motor vehicle, resisting with violence, possession of controlled prescription drugs, and violation of probation.

Additional charges remain pending against Frey in both Sumter and Pasco Counties. Charges against Santillan are also pending.