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Canine team helps take down burglars
By SUZETTE PORTER
Article published on Sunday, May 11, 2008 |
CLEARWATER – Three men attempting to rob a salvage yard in unincorporated Clearwater on May 9 were foiled thanks in part by the actions of a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office canine team.
According to a report from sheriff’s office, three suspects were arrested as they were "caught in the act" of committing a commercial burglary about 3 a.m. at Don’s Salvage Yard, 5601 126th Ave. N.
Pablo Malvin Iglesias, 44, of Tampa; Julio Herrera Fernandez, 18; and Miguel E. Almeida-Fournerie, 29, of Bradenton were arrested for commercial burglary, grand theft, trespass, possession of burglary tools. Iglesias also was arrested for violation of parole.
According to deputies, William J. Tess, 42, who was spending the night at the salvage yard, was awakened when the business alarm went off. Tess called 911, and the sheriff’s office Flight Section did a fly over while deputies responded to the scene.
Shortly after deputies arrived, Tess noticed that miscellaneous marine scrap metal had been moved and placed just outside the property, leading deputies to believe that the suspect or suspects were still on scene. Deputies retreated and the sheriff's Canine Unit was called.
Deputy Nicholas Baez and his canine partner Tonka began to track the premises and the K-9 found a suspect concealed underneath a tarp near a dumpster. Tonka, while leashed began to pull one Iglesias out from his hiding place.
Almeida-Fournerie, who also had been allegedly hiding under the same tarp, came out and turned himself in.
Deputies questioned the two about others, and Tonka continued to signal that a third suspect was present. Baez announced the presence of the dog, issued commands to the suspect to show his hands and come out from behind some garbage receptacles where he was concealing himself.
Baez also repeatedly warned that the dog would be used to apprehend. Fernandez did not come out of hiding, at which time Baez allowed the dog, who remained leashed, to apprehend the third suspect.
Iglesias and Fernandez were transported by ambulance to North Side Hospital where they were treated for non-life threatening injuries to their arms and head due to the canine apprehension.
During the interview process, the suspects allegedly admitted to breaking into an adjacent open field in order to gain access to the salvage yard and to driving a 1996 Ford F250 pick-up truck onto the property and concealing it for the purpose of loading up the items they intended to steal.
The miscellaneous marine scrap metal, that was moved just outside the property weighed about 1,000 pounds and was valued at between $5,000 and $7,000
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Article published on Sunday, May 11, 2008
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