By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Back-to-back bites: Nanaimo RCMP K9 nails more prolific criminals

Nov 28, 2018 | 10:37 AM

NANAIMO — K9 members of Nanaimo’s RCMP force are earning their treats this week.

Nanaimo police dog Jager is credited with taking down two well-known criminals who allegedly broke into cars near the Duke Point ferry terminal on Nov. 24.

Cst. Gary O’Brien said an eye witness to the robberies told them the suspects were driving a truck, which was tracked to the Twelfth St. area in Chase River around 1 a.m.

With his handler in tow, O’Brien said Jager quickly uncovered the poorly conceived hiding places of both suspects, finding one in some bushes and dragging the other out from under a nearby parked vehicle.

Both alleged thieves suffered bites from Jager, including several puncture wounds to the shoulder of the one hiding under the vehicle.

closing arguments

Crown refutes self-defence claims for Nanaimo woman on trial for murder/dismembering ex-boyfriend

9h ago

rental rules

Thousands of short-term rentals go back to long-term May 1: B.C. government

12h ago

sweet sounds

Nanaimo woman tries to coax trapped killer calf out of tidal lagoon with her violin

17h ago

The Dodge truck the pair were driving was stolen from Ladysmith on Nov. 17, O’Brien said.

Kevin Patrick Lackie, 28, and Amie Jolene Kloss, 30, were both held in custody and face numerous charges.

“They’re actively involved in criminal activity and have been for many years,” O’Brien said.

Lackie and Kloss were arrested in March after police used a spike strip to stop the pair trying to get away in a stolen car in Parksville. Lackie was found guilty of several offences, given credit for time served and released. Kloss has yet to come to a conclusion on her charges from that incident.

It’s the second time in a week a Nanaimo K9 took out a repeat criminal. Last Wednesday, newcomer to the force Juice got a taste of a man on the run after he was found inside the basement of someone’s home in Chase River.

“We rely on the dogs 100 per cent. They are an integral part of frontline policing,” O’Brien said. “So many calls the dogs attend to are successful because of their presence.”

He said criminals typically follow orders much differently when the K9’s are on scene.

“It changes criminal’s behaviour very quickly and the ones that don’t change, quickly realize they should have.”

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW