DOVER, Pa.–A York County dog earned top honors on Tuesday night for taking a bite out of crime when he tried to stop a robbery suspect in his tracks back in October.
The Northern York County Regional Police Commission presented Diesel, a four-year-old mixed breed dog, with the ‘Meritorious Service Award‘ for his actions on the night of Oct. 25.
Officers responded to the Dollar General Store located along the 4900 block of Carlisle Road in Dover Township for a reported armed robbery.
The store clerk told police that a man entered the store, pulled out a gun and demanded cash from the register. After getting an undisclosed amount of money the man, later identified as 31-year-old Michael A. Sweeney, ran off.
As Sweeney fled through a yard along the 4800 block of Carlisle Road–Diesel swept into action and bit him on the sleeve of his jacket. Police said Diesel held onto Sweeney as he continued to run towards a nearby minivan that was waiting at the end of the driveway.
Eventually–Sweeney was able to shake Diesel off and jumped into the van. Authorities said Diesel’s actions slowed Sweeney down enough so that his owner was able to get a description of the vehicle and the suspect.
Sweeney was later arrested on Oct. 28 and charged with robbery, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.
At the meeting on Tuesday, police also presented Diesel with a new dog bone and plenty of treats!
Watch the video below:
