Police K9 Takes Down Suspect in California Who Tried to Hit Police Vehicle, Carjacked Woman During Pursuit

Police K9 Takes Down Suspect in California Who Tried to Hit Police Vehicle, Carjacked Woman During Pursuit
(Garden Grove Police Department)
Zachary Stieber
2/27/2018
Updated:
2/27/2018

A police K9 took down a suspect in California who police said carjacked a woman and led officers on a chase before crashing the vehicle.

Antonio Padilla Jr., 37, was already wanted for a parole violation before he allegedly tried to run over an officer with his truck during a traffic stop on Feb. 18.

“The motor officer was writing Padilla a traffic citation and Padilla recklessly backed his truck up, almost striking the officer,” Garden Grove Police Lt. Carl Whitney told the Orange County Register. “The officer narrowly missed being run over.”

Padilla Jr. escaped and wasn’t found until Feb. 26, when detectives in unmarked vehicles pinpointed him in Santa Ana.

Padilla Jr. led officers on a chase before ditching his pickup truck and carjacking a woman driving a black Audi SUV.

The suspect nearly hit both the woman and her brother as they fought against the carjacking.

“I saw that he was taking my sister out of the car and I just reacted and tried to help,” Ricky Kozloski, the brother, told NBC.

A subsequent chase ended when Padilla Jr. crashed the stolen vehicle.

He fled on foot but was taken down by a K9, allowing officers to catch up and detain him.

“Padilla could not outrun the K-9,” a statement from Garden Grove police said, reported KTLA.

The handler of the dog said that the K9, named Puskas, broke a couple of teeth while tackling the suspect.

Authorities have not given an update on the condition of Puskas.

Padilla Jr. was taken to a hospital and treated for injuries suffered during the arrest.

He was later booked at an Orange County jail and charged with numerous felonies.

Padilla was a parolee on early release who had previously been jailed on a domestic violence charge.

From NTD.tv
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