A wanted man called police to report a theft and subsequently got arrested before escaping in handcuffs.

Sarasota Police said Johnny J. Rodriguez-Morel, 36, called officers Wednesday to report a theft at his home on Audubon Place shortly before 11 p.m.

When they arrived, they found out Rodriguez-Morel was wanted by the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office for assault.

Officers placed Rodriguez-Morel under arrest, handcuffing his hands behind his back. He was facing a patrol car and as officers began to search for any possible weapons, police said he kicked off his sandals and broke free of the officer's grip.

He didn’t get too far though. Officers set up a perimeter and a K-9 and he was found hiding in a vehicle a couple hours later.

Rodriguez-Morel has been charged with felony escape (felony) and resisting a law enforcement officer without violence (misdemeanor). He remains in the Sarasota County Jail.