Vado, New Mexico, USA – A Las Cruces Police Department K9 was injured while assisting in the arrest of a robbery suspect who hid beneath a mobile home following a vehicle pursuit.

On June 16, Luis Aguirre was arrested after authorities from Doña Ana County pursued robbery suspects from Chaparral to Vado following reports of a robbery.

According to police documents, deputies located a vehicle matching the suspects’ description near Stern Drive and Swannack Road, close to Interstate 10. When deputies attempted a traffic stop, the driver refused to stop, reportedly ran through stop signs, and drove at speeds exceeding 70 mph through a neighborhood.

The pursuit ended when the vehicle crashed into a rock wall. Deputies then discovered damage beneath a mobile home on the 100 block of Braddy Street, leading them to believe the suspect was hiding underneath.

Video shows Las Cruces police officers ordering the suspect to come out while warning that a police K9 would be deployed. The K9 entered beneath the mobile home, and after the video resumed, officers observed an injury to one of the dog’s ears. One officer remarked, “I think he did that,” while radio traffic shown in the video stated, “dog’s got a bite.”

Las Cruces Police said the department has not officially determined how the K9 was injured, and Aguirre is not facing charges related to assaulting the dog.

Court records show Aguirre has been charged with criminal trespass, criminal damage to property, and resisting, evading, or obstructing arrest. He pleaded not guilty to those charges on Monday.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download