A Florida man wanted in connection with several burglaries was found hiding in a secret underground lair beneath his garden shed, leading to his arrest on various charges. Andrew Lazzell, 39, was being sought by the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office for his alleged involvement in a string of local robberies and grand thefts.
On Wednesday, officers searched Lazzell’s property in Wakulla Gardens and discovered several stolen items, as well as methamphetamine and cocaine. While inspecting his garden shed, they uncovered a “trap floor” that led to a hidden underground hideout. The lair was about six feet deep and four feet wide.
Sheriff Jared Miller reported that Lazzell was extracted from the underground lair, arrested, and handcuffed. During the search, detectives recovered nearly all the stolen goods from two residential burglaries and additional items from a third grand theft case. They also found a large quantity of methamphetamine, which appeared to be packaged for distribution.
Lazzell is facing charges related to two active felony warrants, including possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of cocaine, resisting arrest, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Authorities have indicated that further charges may be added as the investigation continues.
The burglaries, which allegedly occurred over several months, involved Lazzell breaking into at least two of the three targeted homes. Police are still investigating whether other individuals were involved in the crimes. Lazzell is currently held at the county jail without bond.
In another case from the previous year, fugitive Stacy Usher, 39, was also apprehended after hiding in a couch for weeks while evading capture. Usher had been wanted for selling fentanyl and violating her probation, with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office naming her their “Warrant of the Week” before she was found trying to evade arrest under cushions.
