(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) arrested a theft suspect who tried to escape but was apprehended by a K9 officer.

On Wednesday, July 3, at around 3:30 p.m., K9 Officer J. Falette spotted a stolen Cadillac sedan near Monument Valley Park near Westview Place. Officer Falette coordinated with several units, including the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), and the Metro Motor Vehicle Theft Unit to gather information and plan a safe and effective response.

The suspect was identified as a known felon wanted on multiple outstanding warrants for serious crimes, including robbery, burglary, and criminal mischief. It was also confirmed that the suspect was likely armed with a handgun.

Detectives from the Motoe Vehicle Theft Unit arrived in the area to conduct surveillance and were joined by TEU and additional K9 officers to assist in the arrest plan shortly after.

When officers attempted to make contact, the suspect ran while holding a pistol in his waistband. As he ran toward a nearby vehicle that had an open passenger window, K9 Officer Logren repeated warnings that a K9 would be deployed if he didn’t stop. The suspect ignored the warnings and reached into the car; at that time, K9 Riggs was deployed.

“Despite distractions like loose dogs and bystanders in the area, K9 Riggs stayed focused and successfully contacted the suspect by the right arm as the suspect was reaching in the car with the gun in his hand, causing the suspect to drop the gun,” CSPD wrote. “Riggs then pulled him away from the vehicle and to the ground.”

The suspect was taken into custody and taken to the hospital for minor injuries. According to CSPD, after the arrest, a homeless individual informed officers that the suspect had threatened to kill him for accepting food from the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD), who had been in the area handing out food. The suspect had also allegedly been showing the gun to others in the park.

Officers recovered the stolen handgun, several grams of methamphetamine, and the stolen Cadillac. This is an ongoing investigation.