Weber County Sheriff’s human, K-9 officers capture wanted man in Huntsville

K-9 Boss and suspect Leroy Bell. Photos: Weber County

HUNTSVILLE, Utah, Nov. 8, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — When Weber County Sheriff’s deputies encountered Leroy Bell, a wanted man, Bell took off on foot in an attempt to escape arrest.

Pursued by officers, Bell ran through fields, swam through a pond, wove through a grove of trees, and disappeared.

Law officers knew it was time to call in Boss, a WCSO K-9 officer.

“Boss was able to track Bell, which led the deputies to an unoccupied mobile home and indicated that the suspect was hiding inside,” said a news release issued by the Weber County Sheriff’s Office.

“Deputies could tell that the door had recently been forced open. K-9 Boss and his handler entered the home and called out to Bell to surrender. Bell refused to follow orders and tried to conceal himself under a pile of blankets.

“This did not fool Boss. Bell was given several commands to surrender and show his hands, all of which he refused to follow. Boss then apprehended Bell by biting his shoulder and pulling him out from under the blankets, exposing his hands and making it safe for the deputies to finish the arrest of Bell.”

Bell was a suspect in a shoplifting incident a few days before, and also had an outstanding warrant from an unrelated incident.

The WCSO statement said Bell was booked on the outstanding warrant, retail theft, failure to stop at the command of an officer, interfering with a lawful arrest, and criminal trespass of a dwelling.

The Sheriff’s Office also saw fit to include a brief bio on Boss:

“K-9 Boss is a Belgian Malinois and has been a deputy for two years. Boss likes to spend his free time with his family (K-9 Handler Deputy Smith) and loves playing soccer.”

Boss poses with his soccer ball. Photo: Weber County
Boss poses with his soccer ball Photo Weber County

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