On 1-26-2008, at 2100 hours, at 5008 36th Place, Hyattsville, Maryland, Metro Transit Police Officer Eric Croom and his partner “Gunner”, responded to the area pursuant to a request from the Hyattsville Police Department in reference to an armed robbery which had just occurred. After arriving on the scene, the handler was advised that the suspect had jumped the counter of a nearby 7-11 (food mart), repeatedly struck the cashier with an unknown object, and choked her until she was unconscious. The suspect removed all of the money from the cash register as he exited the store, fleeing toward the 3700 block of Hamilton Street. A perimeter was established and Officer Croom responded to the last known area of the suspect.
Officer Croom announced two K9 warnings. When no response was made by the suspect, K9 Gunner was casted on a track to locate the suspect. K9 Gunner began tracking toward a house at 3053 37th Street. The track continued toward the front door, at which time K9 Gunner began scratching and barking. A police announcement was made at which time a resident opened the door and stated, “Someone was hitting my door and trying to break in, but when I came to the door, they ran across the street.” The homeowner then confirmed the suspect’s description and indicated the direction of travel.K9 Gunner was recast and began pulling extremely hard on a track leading in the same direction of travel where the suspect was seen fleeing. K9 Gunner continued to track, then jumped over a fence and continued across the 5000 blk. of 36th Place. K9 Gunner tracked to the rear of 5004 36th Place and jumped over another fence into the rear of 5006 36th Place, where he began lifting his head and wind-scenting.
K9 Gunner’s hackles were raised and he began barking and pulling towards the rear of 5008 36th Place. K9 Gunner became extremely agitated and continued barking and pulling toward a fence. After leaping over the fence in the rear of 5008 36th Place, K9 Gunner was placed in a down and a K9 warning was given with negative results. K9 Gunner was then deployed and headed toward a set of steps going down toward a basement. He apprehended the suspect, who was hiding by lying down on the steps under the porch. K9 Gunner engaged the suspect by biting and holding onto his left bicep and pulled the suspect out from under the porch. Officer Croom and his back up officers approached the suspect. K9 Gunner was commanded to release the suspect at which time he was handcuffed and secured by MTPD K9 Officer Montgomery.
Medical attention was immediately requested and the suspect was treated on the scene by Prince Georges County Fire and Rescue for puncture wounds and lacerations to his left bicep. A show-up on the scene was conducted and the suspect was positively identified by the victim and two additional witnesses. The suspect was arrested and transported to Washington Adventist Hospital for further treatment of his wounds. Following his treatment, the suspect was transported to the Prince Georges County Corrections Facility for processing. The suspect was charged with Strong-Armed Robbery and numerous additional charges.
