Police dog nabs suspect after break-in, theft of babysitter’s purse

A Victoria police dog took down a man after a woman’s purse and car were stolen from the house where she was babysitting.

The woman, who was watching a relative’s child, called 911 about 9 p.m. Monday after she realized someone had entered the home and taken her purse, identification, bank cards and car keys — and then driven off in her vehicle.

Police responded to the 3100 block of Glasgow Street and began gathering evidence. Officers found the woman’s purse and other items nearby and broadcast a description of the stolen vehicle.

An officer spotted the vehicle and tried to stop it in a parking lot in the 400 block of Gorge Road East.

A man, who had an item in his hand, started running toward a group of people.

The officer thought the item might be a weapon so told his police service dog, Diesel, to take down the suspect. The man fell to the ground, but kept fighting with the dog, striking it in an unsuccessful attempt to escape.

Officers found a small change purse and a sunglasses case nearby with drugs and items from the woman’s purse.

The man was taken to hospital to be treated for injuries suffered during the arrest.

He was released into police custody.

The man is facing charges of breaking and entering, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of stolen property, obstruction, failure to comply with an undertaking and possession of a controlled substance.

Diesel was not injured.