Michael Lewis, suspected of stealing a vehicle, allegedly hid under the mattress of a Florida residence in a bid to escape Hernando County Sheriff’s deputies on Monday.
Justice, a police dog with the Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit, detected the 59-year-old suspect almost immediately.
“Cpl. Miller began giving K-9 announcements at every door of the residence before sending K-9 Justice into the room to search for Lewis,” a statement from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office read. “After clearing a handful of rooms, Cpl. Miller gave additional K-9 announcements before entering a bedroom.”
At this point, the trusted police dog “began circling around the bed very excitedly,” prompting Cpl. Miller to lift the mattress.
“Justice stuck his head under it and a man started to yell,” the Sheriff’s Office statement continued. It was then when the officer realized Justice had caught Lewis by the right arm. The suspect also sustained injuries to his face and was treated at a local hospital for his injuries.
Lewis was taken into custody and charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle and resisting without violence.
He is currently being held at the Hernando County Detention Center on a $3,500 bond, the department said.
After the suspect’s arrest, the Sheriff’s Office released a tongue-in-cheek report of the incident, describing the dog’s strengths as “jaws of justice” and Lewis’ weaknesses as “hiding ability.”
Newsweek has contacted the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office for comment.
Authorities across the country rely heavily on K-9 units to assist in integral police work, often using German Shepherds because of their high level of intelligence, ability to follow commands and ability to work long hours without tiring. The breed is also quick, athletic, has a protective nature and exhibits calmness under pressure.
Bear, a black German Shepherd, was even thrown a retirement party after working for six years as a police dog in the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office of central Texas in July.
In a proclamation hailing Bear’s work and accomplishments during his over-half-a-decade career, officers said that he had been trained to track down and locate missing children and elderly people. He also assisted in recovering people experiencing mental health issues, including suicidal people.
Bear even learned how to track four different drugs: cocaine, heroin, marijuana and methamphetamine.
Now that Bear has retired, he will live with his current handler, Deputy Brandon Abbott.