New details: Burleson County manhunt suspect wanted on domestic violence charges in Florida

BURLESON COUNTY, Texas (KBTX) - The Burleson County Sheriff’s Office says the “armed and dangerous” man they’ve been searching for is now in custody.

Todd Allen Wangler, 47, is wanted by the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office in Florida for four charges of domestic violence. He was also being sought by the United States Marshals Service on the Florida charges as well. The sheriff’s office took Wangler into custody at 9:45 a.m. in the 600 block of CR 308 after an extensive search.

An active search for the suspect started around 6 p.m. on Wednesday when investigators learned that Wangler was possible in the area of the 9400 block of CR 333. The suspect fled on foot before law enforcement’s arrival with a small handgun and claimed he would not got to jail “without a fight,” according to the sheriff’s office.

Tracking dogs and a DPS helicopter were called to assist in the search to find Wangler. Around 8:15 p.m. a possible sighting of the suspect was reported in the Chriesman area near CR 308 and CR 315. The search shifted to CR 308 after confirming information with eyewitnesses, but at 3:45 p.m. the search was suspended after all possible leads were exhausted and Wangler’s track was lost.

Thursday morning a resident reported seeing Wangler walking in a pasture in the 600 block of CR 308. A Burleson County Sheriff’s investigator also saw Wangler from across a pasture entering into a wooded area soon after the resident’s initial report.

The sheriff’s office took Wangler into custody at 9:45 a.m. in the 600 block of CR 308.

Wangler is charged in Florida with sexual battery of a victim 18 years or older, battery by strangulation, battery and false imprisonment. All of his charges fall under domestic violence.

In addition to the Burleson County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Rangers, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Caldwell Police Department, Texas Department of Corrections, Bryan Fire Marshals and the Milam County Sheriff’s Office all assisted in the search from Wangler.

Copyright 2022 KBTX. All rights reserved.