Dallas

Dallas Police K-9 Officer Helps Catch Carjacking Suspect

Police say a Dallas man carjacked a woman and led officers on a high-speed chase before crashing and taking off on foot. They say he may have escaped if not for an officer's K-9 partner.

Senior Cpl. Troy Klinglesmith and Diesel have been partners for four years, and when it's time for business, it's all business. Klinglesmith says Diesel is determined to catch the criminals.

On Tuesday night, he said Diesel helped end a violent crime spree that started on Lake June Road. It was a chase that police say involved armed carjacking suspect Christon Connor who managed to escape after crashing his vehicle into several others.

"The suspect took off perpendicular to us, and when he did I basically just let go of the leash and the dog knows what he wants to do, what he's supposed to do," Klinglesmith said.

Diesel caught up to Connor and bit his backside, but Klinglesmith said Connor turned on Diesel.

"He reaching back behind him, punching the dog in the face with both hands turning, and that just, the dog wasn't about to let go," Klinglesmith said.

Diesel is one of 11 German Shepard's on the Dallas Police Department's K-9 patrol trained for demonstrated protection, proficiency and control. In the case of Tuesday night's chase Diesel didn't back down.

"It's not a good idea to run," Klinglesmith said. "If you don't want to get bit by Dallas police dogs don't steal people's cars and run from the police," he said.

Despite taking the hits to the face, his partner says Diesel is doing just fine and is already back at work.

K-9 officers in the Dallas Police Department have apprehended a dozen suspects so far this year.

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