Search for 'armed and dangerous' suspect after police swarm apartment near Mall at Millenia

ORLANDO, Fla. (FOX 35 ORLANDO) - Orange County deputies are searching for a suspect, after swarming the Pointe Vista Apartments in Orlando.

Deputies were patrolling the area of Americana Boulevard and South Texas Avenue when they saw an illegal narcotics transaction take place.

Deputies followed Jude Nalis to the apartment complex and tried to arrest him.

That's when deputies say he ran off and entered an occupied apartment unit through a window.

Deputies safely evacuated that apartment and called the SWAT team to respond.

They told other residents to remain indoors and asked that citizens avoid the area. 

After SWAT team members arrived, and several hours later, deputies determined Nalis had escaped the apartment.

Nalis is known to deputies as a dangerous suspect and has an extensive violent criminal history, including firearms and narcotics charges.

If you know anything about where Nalis could be, contact the Orange County Sheriff's Office or call CrimeLine at 1-800-423-TIPS.