Police dog helps arrest robbery suspects

Two robbery suspects were arrested with the help of a police dog after a woman was confronted with a gun while she was using a bank machine in Windsor. Windsor police responded around 1:15 a.m. Friday to the area of Dougall Avenue and Eugenie Street West. Officers arrived to find a 41-year-old woman who said she had just been using a drive-thru ATM — the TD Canada Trust machine in the parking lot of Dorwin Plaza at 2475 Dougall Ave. While the victim was trying to make a transaction, two males approached her vehicle. One of them brandished a handgun.

A passing motorist noticed the commotion at the ATM and drove his vehicle closer — just in time for him to see three or four males in dark clothing and ski masks take off running east across the middle of Dougall Avenue. After speaking with the victim, the Good Samaritan attempted to follow the suspects in his vehicle, then told attending officers of the suspects’ last direction of travel. A Windsor police canine unit was brought to the scene. Police dog Hasko followed a scent trail to a location near a building in the 2400 block of McDougall Avenue, where two suspects were found. Two men were arrested without further trouble. No one was hurt and the victim lost no money in the incident.

The investigation continues. Windsor police are looking for additional suspects and the firearm that was used in the crime. Abdulwahab Taher, 19, of Windsor, has been charged with robbery with a firearm and wearing a mask or disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence. Anthony Kan-Elliiott, 19, of LaSalle, faces identical charges.

Anyone with further information about this incident or these individuals is encouraged to call the Major Crimes Branch at 519-255-6700, ext. 4830. Anonymous tips can be shared via Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 or catchcrooks. com.