SCOTT TOWNSHIP, IN (WTVB) – The Steuben County Sheriff’s Department says two persons were arrested following a foot chase on Monday afternoon which included one of the suspects trying to drown a Sheriff’s Department K-9 officer.
Chief Deputy Michael Meeks stated in a news release that deputies were called to investigate a trespassing complaint involving a man and a woman in the 3900 block of East County Road 200 North at about 3:30 p.m..
They eventually fled on foot into a wooded area.
Several commands were given for the suspects to stop or a Sheriff’s K-9 would be released.
As both suspects tried to make a run for it, K-9 Klara was released by its handler.
The woman stopped and surrendered without further incident. The man continued fleeing until K-9 Klara was able to catch up and bite him as he was running into a large creek.
The suspect then allegedly grabbed the K-9’s collar and forced her head under the water in what appeared to be an attempt to drown the dog.
K-9 Klara then disengaged the bite in order to try and free herself from the water. The suspect began to flee again but K-9 Klara was able to engage another bite before being called off by her handler due to possible exhaustion and injury from struggling to breathe under the water.
The suspect then attempted to flee again but was apprehended by the Indiana State Police.
35-year-old Hollie Sue Richter of rural Fremont, Indiana and 31- year old Skyler Austin Robertson of Lookout Mountain, Georgia were taken to Cameron Hospital by Steuben County EMS to be cleared medically before being transported to the Steuben County Jail.
Robertson was charged with two counts of Resisting Law Enforcement and a count of Interfering or Striking a Law Enforcement Animal. Robertson also had an active arrest warrant for Failure to Appear on Resisting Law Enforcement and Possession of Marijuana.
Hollie S. Richter was charged with Resisting Law Enforcement. She also had active arrest warrants for Failure to Return to Lawful Detention, Possession of
Methamphetamine, and Escape from Community Corrections.
(Photo courtesy Steuben County Sheriff’s Office)
K-9 Klara was taken to an area Veterinarian and treated for water in the lungs and is expected to make a full recovery.
The incident remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and additional charges may be sought.
Comments