A South Portland Police K-9 team successfully located a burglary suspect Wednesday who had fled the scene and hidden himself in a dumpster.
On Wednesday, Sept. 27, at around 6 a.m., the South Portland Police received an urgent call regarding an ongoing burglary at a business in the west end of the city.
After patrol officers arrived on the scene, they confirmed the burglary and found that the suspect had fled the scene.
South Portland Police K-9 Sauer and his handler, Officer Ezekiel Collins, were dispatched to the scene, where they began tracking the suspect from his last known location.
Their search led them to an area filled with dumpsters, which the police dog and his handler searched methodically alongside other patrol officers.
Sauer and Officer Collins located the suspect hiding inside one of the dumpsters.
“It was here that K9 Sauer’s unique negotiation skills—expressed through a series of emphatic “BORK BORK” vocalizations—came into play, ultimately persuading the suspect to surrender peacefully,” the South Portland Police said in a Wednesday press release.
Police say they arrested a 28-year-old male suspect in relation to the burglary, who also faces charges for other offenses.
“This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to the perseverance of K9 Sauer, as well as the swift response and investigative prowess of the SPPD E-Team patrol units,” the police said. “Together, they have once again contributed to the safety and security of South Portland, demonstrating the unwavering commitment of our law enforcement team. Great work, indeed.”
