K9 injured pursuing fugitive

A K9 officer was injured June 17 while apprehending a wanted man who allegedly eluded police late last month.

According to a press release from Lower Pottsgrove Police, K9 Officer Taz from Pottstown Police Department assisted them in apprehending Talee Geiger, 31, of Buchert Road.

Geiger was involved in an incident on May 25 in Rolling Hills development in which officers found him in possession of marijuana and crack cocaine, police said. At that time, he allegedly resisted arrest and fled from the officer. Police obtained a warrant for Geiger after the incident, which charged him with possession with intent, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest. Police said one officer was injured during that incident.

Police said on they observed Geiger get into a vehicle in Rolling Hills development at around 10:40 a.m. The vehicle was occupied by two other men, one of whom had been driving. Officers then initiated a vehicle stop near North Pleasantview Road and Village Lane when Geiger exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Officers followed him into a wooded area but lost sight of him. With help from Pottstown,

Limerick, Upper Pottsgrove, Douglass Township and New Hanover police departments officers established a perimeter around Pleasantview Road, High Street, Sunnyside Avenue, Green Briar Court and Village Lane.

Pottstown police then deployed K9 officer Taz who tracked the suspect into a heavily wooded creek bed off the cul-de-sac of Greenbriar Court. Geiger did not comply with officers when he was found and again attempted to flee, according to police. Taz was then deployed and apprehended Geiger.

Geiger was taken into custody and treated for minor wounds on his leg from the dog’s bite. He was transported by Goodwill Ambulance to Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. Taz also suffered a severe gash to his head because of the heavy briars in the area where Geiger was apprehended.

Police said that the nearby Coventry Christian Academy was placed on lock down as a precaution during the incident.

Geiger is currently awaiting arraignment, according to court documents.

TOM KELLY III — FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Pottstown police Officer Jeff Portock checks on his injured K-9 partner “Taz” after the dog was injured during a police pursuit through thick briars in a wooded area behind Breenbriar Court in Lower Pottsgrove Township on Friday, June 17.