An up-and-coming K-9 officer, Yager, passed a major milestone on Thursday, April 12, chasing after an alleged car thief in Spring Hill, Florida.
Deputies tried to pull over Aaron Joaquim Demello, 28, for speeding in the area of Bosley Drive and Lawless Road, Pasco County Sheriff’s Office stated, according to Patch.
Demello attempted to escape—driving a stolen car—but after a chase, a tire blew out on the vehicle. Demello then tried his luck on foot, fleeing into the woods.
Deputy Michael Sentner and his partner Yager joined the pursuit.
Yager has been on the force for about a year and went through a four-month strenuous training program, but so far he’s only performed some drug searches.
This time, there was a suspect on the run. Yager would be let off the leash and expected to face the suspect alone, at least before the deputies catch up with him.
“Where did he [the suspect] go?” Sentner is heard asking, as he runs in the body camera footage released by the sheriff’s office.
Sentner and Yager jump a fence and continue the chase.
“Get him buddy,” Sentner commands, releasing Yager.
The dog bolts forward.
“Get him on the ground!” Sentner yells.
Demello could be an intimidating sight in a dark alley. He’s surely several times heavier than the dog. Yager, on the other hand, is fast and agile and possesses an iron grip with his jaws. While usually a playful softie, he’s trained to be dangerous—to a degree—when apprehending a suspect.
After a few moments, Sentner catches up with Yager. Another deputy closes in too. They see the suspect clearly, right by the dog.
But Demello offers no resistance. He’s on the ground looking frightened. Chances are, he won’t get the sight of Yager’s jaws out of his mind for a while. Sentner pulls the barking Yager a few yards back. A job well done.
As it turned out, Demello already faced multiple felony warrants out of Pasco County. He was charged with fleeing to elude, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony habitual driving on a suspended license, vehicle theft, dealing in stolen property, resisting arrest without violence, and failure to appear.
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