'Ketchum Always Catches 'Em All': Polk County K9 Nabs Methed-Out & Armed Car-Jacker in Runaway Chase

Photo by Polk County Sheriff's Office, polksheriff | Instagram

A K9 deputy with the Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO), Ketchum, lived up to his name last night after he caught and added 30-year-old Florida man, Erasuro Mascorro Jr., to his Polk-a-dex after he fled the scene of an attempted armed carjacking.

According to a release from PCSO, the victim of the attempted crime was in the Wahneta area on Jan 2, 2025, working as a contractor for Frontier Communications; he was almost done with his honest day's work when Mascorro decided to start his DIShonest day's work. At approximately 4:20 pm, Mascorro tried to steal the victims work vehicle near the dead end of 3rd St. West, threatening him at gunpoint with a handgun.

Luckily, the victim was able to get away from the perpetrator and dialed 911, describing the attacker as a hispanic male. Deputies with PCSO responded to the scene, where Detective Sergeant Phillips with Ketchum, his four legged K9 partner in fighting crime, and the assistance of PCSO Aviation found the suspect nearby at 103 Bomber Road; however, when they attempted to stop him, Mascorro quickly fled the scene by running into a wooded area.

Little did the perp know, Ketchum is known for always catchin' 'em all, and he soon lost his footrace with the K9. Mascorro was promptly arrested, and Ketchum got all the belly rubs and a treat after the victim had positively identified the suspect.

When interviewed, Mascorro claimed he did not remember the incident because he had “blacked out” and admitted to law enforcement that he had been using both PCP and meth earlier in the day. PCSO says that Mascorro has a criminal history that includes arrests for possession of methamphetamines, battery on a pregnant woman, and child abuse.

“Erasuro Mascorro is a very dangerous individual. Not only does he admit to using illegal drugs, but he has a history of violence, and is now known to be armed," said Sheriff Grady Judd, "I’m proud of my deputies who were able to quickly apprehend this fleeing felon before he seriously hurt anyone. He is a danger to the community, and the hard-working citizens of Polk County need him behind bars.”

As of publication, Erasuro Mascorro Jr. has been arrested and charged with attempted armed carjacking, aggravated assault, possession of a fiream by a convicted felon, and resisting arrest. His day in court is pending.
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Article by Rachael Volpe