MASON, TN (abc24.com) - A suspect's days on the run are over. Tipton County Sheriff's deputies apprehended a meth lab suspect after he sicced his pit bull on a deputy and K-9 and fled the scene.
The attack happened as deputies were serving a warrant at a home in Mason, Tennessee on March 3.
Investigators say as deputies walked up, Fred Masters unlocked a chain link fence and released the dog. It attacked a deputy as well as the deputy's K-9.
Deputy BJ Williams said the angry dog went running toward an investigator but K-9 Ero jumped in front. He tried to break his K-9 free but the pit had his teeth in Ero's hind leg. "The pit bull left a nice bruise where it hit me and tried to climb me like a ladder and grab my throat, there were two to three times I tried to get separation between the dogs."
Deputies shot the pit bull, but Masters was able to get away.
Investigators arrested and charged his wife, Sharon Hebert, with a number of meth-making crimes. They say they found a lab in the couple's attic.
Around 5 p.m. on March 10, investigators tracked Masters to a home in Mason, Tennessee with the assistance of tips from the public. Tipton Co. deputies and Mason police officers surrounded the residence and located Masters inside hiding under a bed. He was taken into custody without incident.
Fred Masters, 44, is charged with five counts Aggravated Assault, Evading Arrest, Promotion to Manufacture Methamphetamine, Possession of Schedule II narcotics with Intent to Sell, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
