POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A violation of probation warrant served last week in Auburndale led to the arrests of two individuals following a standoff with Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies and a K9 unit.
Deputies arrived at an Auburndale home around 4:00 a.m. to execute an active violation of probation warrant for Danny Tonstall. According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, residents inside the house initially refused to answer the door when deputies knocked and announced their presence.
“Once again we gave you a gift called probation, and you screwed it up,” Judd said, referring to the warrant. “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes part deux.”
Deputies brought out K9 Chief and issued several warnings to the occupants inside. Following the warnings, Nicole Rizzo came to the door but refused to cooperate with deputies or assist in locating Tonstall inside the residence.
“Not only is she uncooperative, not only is she belligerent, but she refuses us while we’re lawfully doing our job,” Judd said.
Tonstall was subsequently spotted inside the residence by deputies. After handlers gave additional verbal warnings regarding the deployment of K9 Chief, Tonstall stepped forward and surrendered to law enforcement without further incident.
Both Tonstall and Rizzo were taken into custody and transported to the Polk County Jail. Tonstall was booked on his outstanding violation of probation warrant, while Rizzo was charged with resisting officers without violence.
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