Police dog helps end standoff in DeKalb County

ATLANTA — A police dog played a key role in ending a SWAT standoff Saturday morning in DeKalb County, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Just before 11 a.m., officers and a police dog went onto the roof of the Guitar Center in Brookhaven from the bucket of a ladder truck and found the man they were after hiding under a large box, the television station reported.

The man, identified as 30-year-old Talawrence Slaughter, ran but was caught by the police dog, according to Channel 2. Officers then got him into custody.

Slaughter was taken to a hospital for treatment of a dog bite, Channel 2 reported.

He later was charged with second degree burglary, second degree criminal damage, possession of tools, giving a false name, felony obstruction and theft by receiving, according to Brookhaven police spokesman Brandon Gurley.

The situation began shortly after 5 a.m. when officers from Brookhaven and other agencies responded to a business alarm in the 1400 block of Northeast Expressway, Gurley said.

Officers realized a person was inside the business.

“Additional officers responded and surrounded the location,” Gurley said.

Police had visuals of the suspect on the roof throughout the morning.

Officers from Sandy Springs, Dunwoody and Johns Creek also were on the scene, Gurley said. The DeKalb County police air unit assisted.

Brookhaven police are trying to confirm if a burglary at a construction site next to the Guitar Center is related.