Auburn’s rookie K-9 nabs suspect

Officer Andrew Jarman of the Auburn Police Department is the handler of Brick, the department’s newest police dog. Auburn Police Department

AUBURN — A rookie police dog nabbed a domestic violence assault suspect who was hiding in the woods Sunday morning, police said.

Dispatchers got a 911 call shortly before 12:30 a.m. Sunday from a woman believed to be in distress, Deputy Chief Timothy Cougle of the Auburn Police Department said in a statement released to the news media.

Officers located the caller at a Turner Street address. She said she had been assaulted during a domestic dispute by a man she knew, Cougle said.

The man reportedly fled into nearby woods after he learned police were in pursuit, Cougle said.

Brick, the Police Department’s newest dog, and his handler, Officer Andrew Jarman, were called in to assist in the search for the suspect, Cougle said.

“Once deployed and given his search command, Brick immediately began to pull officers deep in the woods,” Cougle said.

Brick directed the officers to a large, overturned tree, where the suspect was found crouched down in an effort to hide from police, Cougle said.

The suspect was taken into custody and charged with felony domestic violence assault and violation of condition of release.

“Without Brick, this suspect would not have been captured so quickly and efficiently, preventing a larger police search of the area,” Cougle said. “He’s a great dog. Smart and determined. And Officer Jarman is doing an outstanding job with him. We anticipate years of exceptional work from this K-9 team.”

Brick completed his first level of training — patrol certification — on July 20, Cougle said.