Milan Pavlovich of Hernando County faces criminal charges in Hernando and in Ohio and Alabama.
By DUANE BOURNE
Published October 11, 2003
A 41-year-old fugitive wanted on attempted murder charges in Hernando County and other criminal charges in Ohio was arrested Thursday night in an Alabama motel after skipping town, authorities said.
One week after a Circuit Court judge issued a warrant for his arrest, Milan Pavlovich, 20017 Suncrest Drive, west of Brooksville, ended up in Daphne, a suburb of Mobile, on the east coast of Mobile Bay, said Hernando County sheriff's spokesman Lt. Joseph Paez.
Investigators from the sheriff's major crimes unit tracked down Pavlovich after he made several harassing telephone calls to people in Hernando County, Paez said.
Authorities are not releasing the identities of the people who received the calls or whether they were involved in the Sept. 14 incident, in which Pavlovich allegedly tried to kill his ex-girlfriend and four others in a fit of rage over their breakup.
Deputies from the U.S. Marshal's Service and two officers from the Daphne Police Department, acting on the information, went to the Microtel Inn on U.S. Highway 98 around 9:30 p.m. Thursday, said Daphne police Lt. Scott Taylor.
"They went to the room and was able to gain entry with force," said Taylor. "He identified himself and was cooperative."
While taking Pavlovich into custody, authorities found a stolen 9mm pistol, a phony California identification and $2,000 in cash. Investigators were unable to determine how Pavlovich had acquired the weapon, which had been reported stolen.
Paez said that the Sheriff's Office is also trying to determine whether individuals in Hernando County aided in Pavlovich's escape to Alabama.
Pavlovich fled following his release from jail after County Judge Peyton Hyslop reduced his status from being held without bail to being held on $3,500 bail. He was accused of attempted murder and other charges, including kidnapping and aggravated assault stemming from the Sept. 14 incident.
Five days later, Pavlovich was re-arrested after he returned to the mobile home on Dry Creek Ranch Road, northwest of Brooksville, with a gun, violating the terms of his release - having no contact with his ex-girlfriend, court documents indicate. He was later released from Hernando County Jail after posting the $1,000 bail.
Then on Oct. 3, Circuit Court Judge Richard Tombrink Jr., issued a warrant for Pavlovich, who also was wanted on aggravated robbery and aggravated arson charges in Lake County, Ohio.
On Friday, Pavlovich was being held at the Baldwin County Corrections Center in Bay Minette, Ala., where he faces charges for the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and receiving stolen property, said Taylor.
Then, prosecutors from Ohio and Florida will decide which jurisdiction will first pursue the criminal charges against him, said Paez, who was relieved that Pavlovich was caught.
"Our take on it is that we have been concerned about this individual being out and making threats to people in the area," said Paez. "Certainly, he had the capacity of carrying out his threats, so we are relieved that he is back in custody."
- Duane Bourne can be reached at 754-6114. Send e-mail to dbourne@sptimes.com
