USPCA Region 12 Patrol Case of 3rd Quarter 2007
Officer John Bennett and K9 Benny of the Minneapolis Police Department
Officer Joe Fuller and K9 Shadow of the Minneapolis Police Department
On 07/12/07 at approximately 0222 hours Minneapolis Police responded to a report of a home invasion robbery in the 1300 Block of Irving Av N. Several Minneapolis squads responded to the residence along with two K9 units. Officer John Bennett and his partner Benny arrived and set up a perimeter around the house. Officer Bennett and Benny covered the rear door and as Officer Fuller arrived he brought his K9 Shadow to the front of the residence. Officers received information a suspect had kicked in the front door and he was armed with a handgun.
Officer Fuller heard a loud smash of glass on the south side of the house and saw a male jump out of the window. The suspect was wearing a bandana partially covering his face and refused to stop when Fuller began giving K9 warnings. Officer Fuller sent his K9 partner to stop the suspect who jumped out of the window. Shadow apprehended the suspect on the leg forcing him to the ground. The suspect began to kick Shadow with his free leg and also fought with officers before he was taken into custody.
Officer Bennett and K9 Benny stayed in the rear of the house along with several other officers. While the first suspect was being taken into custody Officer Bennett saw two other black males in the attic portion of the dwelling. After several K9 announcements several people came out of the dwelling and were detained by back up officers. Officer Bennett sent Benny inside to clear the remainder of the residence. Benny searched the main level of the residence and then secured the 2nd floor not locating anything. Officer Bennett observed a closed door which went to the attic. The attic was filled with piles of clothes and other items. Benny began digging into a large pile of clothes under a wooden door that was lying on the ground. Benny apprehended a suspect by the leg and began pulling him out from the under the pile of clothing.
Inside the residence officers located 3 loaded guns that the suspects had used in the robbery. Both suspects were positively identified and arrested for the robbery.
USPCA Region 12 Narcotics Case of the 3rd Quarter 2007
Officer Bryan Boltjes and K9 Diego of the Fairmont Police Department
On 08-01-07 at 0905 hours Officer Boltjes and his K9 partner Diego were requested to assist the Minnesota State Patrol near I-90 and Hwy 15. The trooper advised Officer Boltjes that he observed several indicators of criminal activity. A male and female passenger stated they were on a cross country trip but did not know where they were going. The vehicle had a single key attached to the ignition and they had no luggage. The trooper advised he got a signed consent form to search the vehicle. The trooper also advised Officer Boltjes that he had searched the vehicle prior to his arrival and did not locate anything.
Officer Boltjes got his partner Diego out of the squad and began a detailed sniff around the suspect vehicle. Diego showed a change in behavior near the rear of the vehicle. Diego worked around the vehicle to the left rear tire and stuck his nose in the rear wheel and went into a sit indicating the presence of a narcotic odor. Inside the vehicle Diego began to search in the backseat and indicated near the left rear passenger door. Officers then searched that area of the vehicle and located nothing.
The suspect vehicle was impounded and brought to a service garage for a more detailed search. Troopers placed the vehicle on a hoist and scoped the interior of the gas tank. They believed that it appeared as though the interior of the gas tank had been altered. The gas tank was then pulled from the vehicle and a non-factory opening was observed in the top of the tank. After the compartment was opened it was discovered that it contained 10 airtight sealed plastic bundles. The bundles were also wrapped in tape. The substance inside the bundles tested positive for cocaine. The total weight of the seizure was 10 Kilos of cocaine. Both suspects were arrested and the case was turned over to the DEA.