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Published May 19, 2009, 08:21 AM

Deputy’s dog bites fleeing burglar

A 19-year-old Hastings, Minn., man – allegedly the getaway driver for some amateur burglars -- was caught last week in a foot chase thanks to the jaws of a St. Croix Sheriff’s deputy’s dog. The two collided in the yard in front of 214 W. Cedar St. and the dog hung on until River Falls police officers and the deputy converged.

By: Phil Pfuehler, River Falls Journal

A 19-year-old Hastings, Minn., man – allegedly the getaway driver for some amateur burglars -- was caught last week in a foot chase thanks to the jaws of a St. Croix Sheriff’s deputy’s dog. The two collided in the yard in front of 214 W. Cedar St. and the dog hung on until River Falls police officers and the deputy converged.

The teen suspect was taken to county jail. He’s linked to a home burglary at 2:30 a.m. last week Tuesday in the 1600 block of Valley Quail Drive on the city’s west side and possibly some recent car break-ins.

None of the other two or three presumed male suspects were caught. Police investigator Chuck Golden is still pursuing leads.

The Hastings man allegedly told Golden he was at a house party in River Falls when the idea to go “steal” some things was hatched. The man said he agreed to be the driver.

During the Valley Quail Drive burglary, the homeowner was wakened when his house alarm went off. He allegedly came upon two men in his garage going through one of his cars.

The homeowner chased the suspects who ran. That’s when police were called.

In the past week River Falls police also:

  • Arrested five members of the same family, including the mother, father and three daughters following arguing and fighting that included biting, scratching, punching, swearing, death threats and more. The mother and the two older daughters, ages 18 and 24, were taken to jail. There were minor injuries but no one in the family needed an ambulance. Possible criminal charges range from domestic battery and child abuse to disorderly conduct.

  • Are still investigating a broken front-door window downtown at Curves at 1:25 a.m. Friday. A local 19-year-old male suspect allegedly punched the window until it cracked. In the process, he was badly hurt, with blood gushing down his arm. The 19-year-old crossed Main Street where he was comforted by a woman until an ambulance could be summoned. The young man was later taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

    For more Police Beat news, please see the May 20 print edition of the River Falls Journal.

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