Wanted Butler man can't outrun K-9 officer
A Butler police dog helped capture a man wanted on a pair of felony warrants after he tried to flee officers Sunday afternoon, authorities said.
The suspect, 30-year-old Joshua A. Rivera of Butler, didn't get far and ended up trying to fight K-9 officer Gunner.
A bad move, police said.
Rivera ended up at a Pittsburgh hospital where he was treated for injuries including bites to his arm.
Police Lt. Brian Grooms, who is Gunner's handler, was on duty about 3:20 p.m. when he spotted a car without a valid inspection traveling on South Street.
The officer turned around and by the time he found the car, the driver had pulled over and had the hood up, according to a police report.
Grooms looked into the car and noticed a man in the back seat with a hat pulled down over his face.
“It looked like he was trying to hide his identity,” police Deputy Chief David Adam said of the passenger.
Once he got a better look, Grooms recognized Rivera, who he is investigating in connections with a burglary case. He also knew the suspect had other warrants out for him.
Grooms grabbed Rivera by the arm and warned him not to run or he would release Gunner. The defendant, police said, did not heed the warning.
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