Monday, January 13, 2020

Mesa PD’s K9 Rico Instrumental in Catching Burglary Suspect


Mesa Police officers respond to a burglary call at the Goodwill Store near Power and McDowell on January 12, 2020. The reporting party was monitoring the suspect inside the business via a live camera. When the suspect realizes officers are surrounding the building, he runs out and hides in an enclosed area outside the main building.

After the suspect refuses to surrender, K9 Officer Ron Swart sends his dog, Rico, to search the enclosed area. Rico bites the suspect after finding him hiding above the axle of a semi-trailer. The suspect verbally surrenders and no further use of force was required. 

The suspect, 44-year-old Russell Smith, was transported to the hospital for his bite injuries.

A backpack was recovered where Russell was hiding with cash in it. A known amount of money was taken from Goodwill, almost the same amount found in Russell’s backpack.  

Russell admits to prying open the back door and using a grinder to cut into the safe.

Russell is being charged with two felonies – 3rd degree burglary and criminal damage.


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