Police K-9 Takes Down Burglary Suspect Armed with a Saw

A Pasadena Police canine unit took down a burglary suspect armed with a saw Saturday night as officers canvassed the 600 block of Busch Garden Drive looking for a man neighbors reported seeing entering a vacant home about 5:00 p.m.

The suspect was bitten by the police dog before surrendering to surrounding police, Lt. Jason Clawson said.

Clawson reported that the man, identified as 30-year-old Vincent Diaz, a local transient, was treated at an area hospital for the bite and then booked into the Los Angeles County Jail last night for residential burglary.

The incident began when neighbors saw the man inside a home known to be empty, as its owners are away, and called police.

Arriving officers set up a containment around the home, then zeroed in on the garage after another neighbor advised them that somebody was seen there.

“They gave notifications that the K-9 would be searching the garage,” Clawson said. “After no response, the K-9 went inside the garage and located a suspect hiding under a car. The suspect was armed with a saw.”

The dog alerted on the suspect and was bitten by the police dog, which caused him to drop the weapon, Clawson said.

Officers determined that the house just south of the location at which the suspect was arrested had been broken into as well.

The suspect did not have any stolen property in his possession. It is unknown if there was a second suspect, but both homes were thoroughly searched by police and none was found, Clawson said.