**SUCCESSFUL CASE***

INBTI Vice President and Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office K9 Handler Sgt. Michael Szelc.

On 12/28/22 a mutual aid request for K9 was made.  One of our neighboring Police Departments requested a hound for an armed robbery that had occurred.  A man entered a quick mart and held the clerk at gunpoint before firing one round into the floor and leaving with an undisclosed amount of cash.  Witnesses stated they saw a man cross the road and go out of sight.  K9 L.E. was presented with the spent cartridge as well as the area the suspect was standing.  Exiting the store, she led to the right side of the building and behind, several areas of disturbance that showed a shoe impression running were crossed before L.E. continued into a development. She was committed to the trail, moving from one street to another before she gave a negative alert.  I called the trail from there as she had no interest in leading anywhere else.    On the walk back to the patrol car we had noticed a ring doorbell on one of the residences.  Video captured confirmed the trail as the man was seen running away.    Detectives started canvassing this area and located a witness who had seen the subject and had gotten the make, model and license plate number of the vehicle he entered. The subject was later located and placed into custody.  In the car was the money and the gun used.  A full confession was given.  I later received a call from the Detective and he stated had your dog never went into the development they would not have canvassed it.  Turns out L.E. stopped her trail within 30 yards of where the car was parked.     

The dogs are utilized with a scent article and the belief is to find………your dog is instrumental in giving information so the investigation can continue.  TKM continues to teach all the different components utilized, what they mean, and how to relay the information that your k9 partner is telling you.