K-9 helps arrest one of top 10 most wanted fugitives in Pikes Peak region
A Colorado springs police officer and his K-9, Broc, helped arrest one of the top 10 most wanted fugitives in the Pikes Peak region.
Beat Auto Theft Through Law Enforcement, which has members from the Colorado Springs Police Department auto theft unit and Colorado State Police Investigators, located a stolen vehicle at the South Pointe Apartment Complex, Monday night.
This vehicle was placed under surveillance. The driver was identified as Vincente Fernandez, 29. Fernandez was featured as one of the Pikes Peak most wanted fugitives on Feb. 15.
Officer Brian Kelly, his dog, Broc, and Officer Joe Richardson were called to assist in apprehending the suspect.
“The problem was he had a small child with him. We didn’t want to do anything that would put the small child into harm’s way,” said Kelly.
Kelly and his team devised a plan with the child’s safety in mind.
“I came up on him with Broc. He initially made a movement like he was going to run. I gave him several K-9 warnings, warning I’d release the dog,” said Kelly.
Kelly and Broc train over 400 hours together and work to fight some of the most difficult scenarios.
“It’s one of those things where he’s a great partner. We do everything from building searches to field searches to looking for suspects to narcotics,” said Kelly.
A resident at the South Pointe Apartment complex said its not uncommon to see crime in the area.
“This area is very problematic. There’s a lot of drugs and violence. It’s just not that safe of an area,” said Tasha Miller.
Miller says the arrest of one of the most wanted fugitives comes as a relief.
“I love our police dogs. I think it’s really cool they’ve proven to be helpful, and anything to help cleanup these apartments, I’m all for,” said Miller.
Kelly said in this case, the fugitive was taken into custody without incident.
“The satisfaction of finding the bad guy is a reward. We go home, and Broc will get a biscuit or bone,” said Kelly.
Fernandez was wanted on a Parole Violation and a felony Domestic Violence Arrest Warrant. Along with his warrants, he was arrested for Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft and transported to the Criminal Justice Center.
