Officer Minor was responding to the incident and was about  200 feet from the scene when he saw the suspect vehicle strike the officer.  Seeing the suspect vehicle was fleeing the area and accelerating towards him, Officer Minor made the decision to intentionally ram the suspect vehicle in the area of the left rear wheel, causing it to spin around and strike a utility pole.  The suspects vehicle sustained heavy damage. 

 Officer Minor initially ran towards the suspect’s vehicle in an attempt to apprehend him but had to run out of the street to avoid being struck by the utility pole that had been severed at the base and was falling towards his cruiser.  The pole ended up being suspended by wires and stopped falling at a 45 degree angle over the street.  During this time the suspect exited his car and began running across the street.  Officer Minor ordered him to the ground at gunpoint. The suspect stopped but ignored Minor’s orders to drop to the ground. The suspect then placed both hands down into his waistband and began to run between two buildings on the other side of the street. 

 Officer Minor’s patrol car is equipped with a remote controlled K-9 bailout system that automatically opens the rear door of the cruiser.  He activated the system, allowing Police Service Dog Veko out of the car.  PSD Veko, being trained to go to his handler after the door opens, ran up to Officer Minor.  By this time, Officer Minor was in a  foot pursuit with the suspect about 30 yards from his cruiser.  The suspect ran behind a business and ignored Officer Minor’s K-9 deployment warnings.  After ignoring all warnings to stop, Officer Minor gave PSD Veko the command to go after the suspect.  PSD Veko easily caught up to the suspect and struck him in the center of his back near his shoulder blades.  The suspect was knocked to the ground.  The suspect then jumped to his feet.  Veko bit the suspect on the upper right arm and held on. Officer Minor ran up to the suspect, ordering him to the ground.  The suspect ignored the order even while being bitten by K-9 Veko.  Officer Minor then grabbed the suspect and brought him to the ground.  PSD Veko was given the command to release the suspect and did so, lying down next to the suspect barking at him.  The suspect fought with Officer Minor, tucking his left arm under his chest and refusing  to place it behind his back. After several failed attempts to secure his arm, Officer Minor gave Veko the bite command again. Veko bit the suspect on the left arm at the bicep.  After this bite, the suspect put his arm behind his back and was handcuffed.  Veko was given the release command.  Veko immediately released the suspects arm and again downed next to him barking. 

 The Manchester Police Department Investigative Services Section took over the investigation of the incident.  Detectives recovered the 1,200.00 stolen by the suspect under a bush three feet from where PSD Veko knocked the suspect down.  It was later determined that the suspect was not armed but that he only implied he had a gun. 

 The suspect was charged with Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder, Robbery, Assault on a Police Officer, and other criminal charges.  He was also suspected in the robbery of other stores in four other towns.  Since his arrest he has been charged in two of those cases. 

 Officer Minor’s decision to ram the suspect vehicle and subsequent actions in apprehending the suspect by deploying PSD Veko substantially reduced the risk of further hazard to the public. 

 Officer Minor and Veko were involved in other numerous other incidents in 2001.  They conducted over 85 narcotic searches, 25 public demonstrations, and supported the Capitol Region Emergency Services Team ( Tactical Unit ) on four call outs.  They further supported several search warrants and buy/bust operations by the Tri-Town NarcoticsTask Force. 

                                                                         Submitted By James A. Cortina, Director  -   Connecticut Police Work Dog Association