JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After a suspected serial robber led officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office on a chase, K-9 Valor was credited with finally taking the suspect down Thursday evening on Jacksonville's Westside.
The scene was near the intersection of San Juan Avenue and Lindberg Drive. San Juan was shut down from Lake Shore Boulevard to Hyde Park Road while police investigated.
According to Assistant Chief Brian Kee, with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, officers were searching the area for a suspect who had robbed an elderly male who was using a walker.
Kee said around 12:30 p.m. Thursday, an additional robbery occurred and the suspect fit the same description. Officers canvassed the area, and at about 4:30 p.m., police attempted to stop a man, who instead took off running.
An officer, Kee said, attempted to use an electronic control device to control the man, but that didn't work and the man continued running. The man was attempting to climb a fence when an officer discharged his firearm, but missed the man.
After that, K-9 Valor went after the man, bringing him to the ground. The man was taken to the hospital. He has since been released and is in custody.
The suspected robber was not identified. Kee said the man is suspected in other robberies in the area of several different victims, and he said identifying the suspect publicly could hinder the investigation.
The officer who discharged his firearm was not identified. He was placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.