GASTONIA, N.C. — Two of the Gastonia Police Department's K9 officers are being credited with tracking down two suspects accused of car break-ins in a new housing development in Gaston County.
The department said Monday K9s Bo and Taco were requested that morning to find the pair of suspects who reportedly jumped out of a car and ran away. The suspects were accused of break-ins in a new housing development near Old Dallas Highway, also known as Bright Hope Lane. Neighbors had reported to authorities that people in ski masks were breaking into cars and left in a black vehicle.
When approached by police, Gastonia officers said the suspects ran away into a thick wooded area at the dead end of Auten Road in Ranlo.
K9 Taco and his handler Ofc. Willis found both suspects hiding a mile deep into the woods. A juvenile suspect was taken into custody, but the other suspect ran off.
K9 Bo and his handler Sgt. David Rowland were able to pick up the second suspect's new track, finding the suspect in the thick brush. The suspect ran again, but police had anticipated this and set up a perimeter on the other side. An officer was able to catch the suspect and take them into custody.
Gastonia Police said the Ranlo Police Department, Dallas Police Department, and Gaston County Police Department provided the necessary perimeter coverage that led to the suspects' capture and helped the K9s track them down.