K9 officer used to track breaking and entering suspect
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ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP -- St. Clair Township Police Detective Sgt. Scott Mick and patrol officer Dakota Wetzel responded to a breaking and enter call at Spinal Care Chiropractic Center, 16136 state Route 170, Wednesday morning.
The owner of the business, Brittany Bable, told Mick that she had entered the front door of the business at approximately 8:08 a.m. and heard noises come from inside. She also noted that she saw a wallet and a pair of shorts on the floor, so she went back out and called the police.
The officers arrived and found the suspect, later identified as Jerry Thompson, 38, Youngstown, had fled out the back door.
The officers were able to secure video footage from a neighboring business which showed Thomspon leaving the office.
The officers on scene requested Detective Keith Hildebrand bring K9 Officer Rebel to the scene.
Rebel found a positive scent and started to track Thompson. Rebel took the officers to a grass field and indicated to finding an article in the field. He was given the command to track again and continued toward Walmart through the back of the parking lot for Aaron's where they located lottery tickets that he fallen out of Thompson's bag and were consistent with the lottery tickets found inside the clinic.
Officers then located a sex toy that Thompson had dropped behind shipping containers in Walmart's parking lot. Rebel continued tracking into a wooded area behind Walmart near McGuffy Drive where Thompson was located lying on the ground.
A glass pipe used to smoke methamphetamines was located on the front counter of the business along with other items that were collected which will be used to obtain DNA samples.
Thompson, who was found to have entered the clinic the night before, told officers he was homeless.
Police Chief Brian McKenzie noted that the officers had had contact with Thompson several times over the past couple of weeks and believes he may be involved in other incidents the department is investigating.
McKenzie noted that this is a situation that could have gone extremely bad, especially if Thompson had become confrontational with the business owner instead of fleeing.
"My guys did an amazing job. They were tracking down video, communicating with each other and using the K9," McKenzie said. "They had him in custody about an hour after the call. It was real good work by my guys and I'm proud of them."
Thompson was charged with breaking and entering, criminal mischief and drug paraphernalia and transported to the county jail. There may be additional charges added pending the outcome of other investigations.
Kgarabrandt@mojonews.com