Fleeing suspect hides in gopher tortoise hole

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A burglary suspect tried to go underground in his attempt to run from the law in northeast Florida.

The Putnam County Sheriff's Office arrested 36-year-old Justin Buchler and another man during a burglary investigation in Melrose.

A deputy and his K9 partner, while searching the property, found Buchler throwing dirt on himself, in an effort to hide by burying himself in a nest for a gopher tortoise.

It's against the law in Florida to mess with the nest of a gopher tortoise as they are a threatened species.

Buchler, of Keystone Heights, faces two counts of larceny, two counts of drug possession, two counts of endangering a threatened species, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

Deputies also arrested 28-year-old Justin Harris of Melrose. He's charged with two counts of burglary, two counts of burglary with property damage, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

Investigators say the men tried to steal more than $30,000 worth of items from the property, including snap-on tools, a motorcross bike, jewelry, and professional remote-controlled cars.