VicPD canine units bring a swift end to three recent arrests

Two Victoria Police K9 units are being credited with bringing quick conclusions to three separate arrests over the past 10 days.

The first arrest involved police dog Alpha on March 16th scaring one suspect into complying with police officers peacefully.

Alpha and his partner discovered a man rummaging through a donation bin at Tillicum Mall. The man gave the officer a fake name but was recognized as someone from previous interactions and had outstanding warrants out for his arrest.

As more officers were enroute, it appeared like the man was about to flee. Alpha’s firm barking scared the man straight, however, and he was safely taken into custody.

See also:

• Comox Valley police dog ‘Hammer’ made two arrests and helped find a missing woman in one week
• Nanaimo police dog tracks down assault suspect over 2 hours in rough terrain

One week later, on March 23rd, police dog Zender and his partner located a dangerous man in the early hours of the morning. At roughly 4:00 a.m., Zender and his partner approached a suspicious vehicle and found that the male driver was breaching conditions and was considered “extremely violent”.

Like Alpha, Zender’s firm bark and and presence convinced the man to comply with officers safely.

Much later on the same day, at 11:00 p.m., Zender was back on duty with his partner and helped track down a suspect involved an assault.

Zender and other members of Saanich Police were searching near the 1300-block of Hastings Street where an assault had occurred. Zender began sniffing out the area and began tracking a scent heading towards a shed on the property.

The suspect was hiding inside the shed, and was safely taken into custody.