An Opp man who allegedly tried to break into a local garage is behind bars after a nearly four-hour manhunt Wednesday morning.

Opp Police Chief Nickey Carnley said that at approximately 3:30 a.m., officer Shawn Bentley was patrolling near Adams Garage when he noticed a suspicious white male.

observed a suspicious white male near Adams Garage.

The man, later identified as Fritz David Otto, 21, fled on foot when Bentley tried to make contact.

Carnley said Bentley then proceeded after Otto until he lost visual contact.

“Upon further investigation, it was discovered someone had attempted to force open a door at Adams Garage, and while doing so, several burglary tools were left at the scene, along with what was later identified as the suspect’s vehicle,” he said.

He said law enforcement officials immediately set up a perimeter near the garage in an attempt to locate Otto, called the Andalusia Police Department’s K-9 unit to assist and issued a “be on the lookout” for Otto.

Their hard work paid off when shortly after 7 a.m., an Opp resident observed a man fitting Otto’s description at the Tom Thumb and notified OPD, Carnley said.

Otto was apprehended following a traffic stop on Virginia Avenue. He was arrested and charged with attempted burglary third-degree, possession of burglary tools and obstruction of governmental operations.

He is currently being held in the Covington County Jail on a $16,000 bond.

The case remains under investigation, Carnley said.