TV personality Dog the Bounty Hunter found a slithery surprise this week as he tracked mixed martial arts fighter Jonathan Koppenhaver – a.k.a. “War Machine.”
Joining a week-long manhunt, Duane “Dog” Chapman visited Koppenhaver’s home in Mission Valley to arrest the fugitive.
Koppenhaver, who legally changed his name to “War Machine,” was wanted on a Nevada warrant that accuses him of violently torturing his girlfriend, adult film star Christy Mack.
But instead of finding his quarry, Chapman discovered two exotic snakes and another man at Koppenhaver’s home, according to county animal services.
But the bounty hunter’s trip was not in vain. The man there happened to be wanted on a felony arrest warrant, so Chapman helped take him into custody.
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However, he could not leave the scaled creatures to fend for themselves. Chapman called animal control officers, who arrived and took the snakes to their facilities.
One snake was later identified as an Eastern Indigo, while the other species has not been determined.
Officials say when U.S. Marshals raided the home Monday to search for Koppenhaver, they found neither residents nor snakes, so both must have showed up later.
It’s still unclear if the unidentified man was Koppenhaver’s roommate or relation. Officials are also not sure who the snakes belong to. Regardless, Animal Services Lt. Kalani Hudson says they will keep the reptiles until an owner comes forward to claim them.
When he came up empty-handed on the War Machine search, Chapman was spotted at Undisputed Gym in downtown San Diego Thursday, where the suspect used to train and teach.
Koppenhaver was arrested the next day at a Simi Valley, Calif. hotel by police and U.S. Marshalls.
Chapman kept his fans abreast of his war path for War Machine through Twitter, from antagonist beginning to successful end.
.@WarMachine170 better 2Give All You Excuses To The Judge ..you got 24 hrs to turn your self in or I am Coming After YOU.!#CMTDogAndBeth — Duane Dog Chapman (@DogBountyHunter) August 12, 2014
#CMTDogAndBeth @WarMachine170 Time is up ! BEWARE OF THE DOG... — Duane Dog Chapman (@DogBountyHunter) August 13, 2014
#CMTDogAndBeth ok #war machine you want a real fight this time not a girl the biggest match of your career in the street — Duane Dog Chapman (@DogBountyHunter) August 13, 2014
#CMTDogAndBeth #war machine in front if your house 1on1 let's do it !! ! Winner takes ALL !! — Duane Dog Chapman (@DogBountyHunter) August 13, 2014
#itsabouttogetreal #cmtdogandbeth #warmachine pic.twitter.com/9C3Dz1gVtD — Duane Dog Chapman (@DogBountyHunter) August 15, 2014
What I promised is what he got a jail cell #Justiceforchristymack can now be served tune in to #cmtdogandbeth for more coverage — Duane Dog Chapman (@DogBountyHunter) August 16, 2014
Not to be outdone on social media, War Machine defended himself publicly.
I'm not a bad guy, I went to surprise my gf, help her set up her show and to give her an engagement ring and ended up fighting for my life. — War Machine (@WarMachine170) August 11, 2014
The cops will never give me fair play, never believe me. Still deciding what to do but at the end of the day it's all just heart breaking. — War Machine (@WarMachine170) August 11, 2014
I only wish that man hadn't been there and that Christy & I would behappily engaged.I don't know y I'm so cursed.One day truth will come out — War Machine (@WarMachine170) August 11, 2014
Koppenhaver is accused of beating Mack on Aug. 8, breaking 18 bones in her face, fracturing her rib and rupturing her liver. He faces charges of battery, strangulation, gross lewdness and assault in the incident.
The fighter has been convicted of assaulting a female bartender and a bouncer at two bars in Pacific Beach. After pleading guilty, he was sentenced to three years of probation.
