Police uncover sinister underground 'lair' beneath outhouse during search for suspected felon

Published 13:25 10 Jan 2025 GMT

Andrew Lazzell, 39, has been arrested on 'multiple charges' after authorities performed a search on his Florida home

A man has been arrested on 'multiple charges' after police performed a search on his home and found him concealed in an 'underground lair'.

On January 8, a man named Andrew Lazzell was arrested on multiple charges at his home in Wakulla County, Florida.

Authorities revealed they'd performed a search of his home and discovered the 39-year-old 'hiding in an underground lair' alongside several other important finds.

Sheriff Jared Miller from Wakulla County Sheriff's Office took to Facebook on January 8 to share a release on the arrest explaining Detectives of the Criminal Investigations Division at the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), with the assistance of the Florida Department of Corrections K-9 Team 'executed a residential Search Warrant' on Lazzell's property.

Authorities obtained the search warrant on the house as a result of 'an extensive investigation' into 'multiple burglaries and grand thefts from residents of Wakulla Gardens'.

The post continues: "Detectives developed probable cause to believe stolen property was secreted at Mr. Lazzell’s residence utilizing various investigative techniques in conjunction with information obtained from Deputy Sheriffs of the Patrol Division.

"Mr. Lazzell already had two active arrest warrants for Violation of Probation related to a burglary charge."

Upon carrying out the search of the property, detectives reportedly located 'two subjects on the property' alongside finding Lazzell 'hiding in an underground lair concealed under a trapped floor in the shed, in a hole approximately six feet deep by four feet wide' - and that's not all they found.

Detectives are also said to have uncovered 'almost all of the stolen items from two different residential burglaries and located stolen property from a third grand theft case'.

"Detectives also located a quantity of methamphetamine that was packaged in a manner consistent with the distribution of illegal drugs, in addition to another bag that contained cocaine," the post adds.

Lazzell was subsequently placed 'under arrest for the two active felony warrants, along with the additional charges of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Sell; Possession of Cocaine; Resisting Arrest; and Possession of drug paraphernalia'.

Sheriff Miller reports the case is 'ongoing' and could see Lazzell face 'additional charges' too.

And while an underground lair may sound unique, it's not the first time a suspect has been apprehended in an unusual position.

In September last year, Clayton County Police in Georgia discovering Matt Washington Jr. hiding under some sheets, fully clothed and pretending to be asleep, The Independent reports.

UNILAD has contacted Wakulla County Sheriff's Office for further comment.