DANIELSON - A home invasion led to shots fired. Two suspects fled the scene. That’s when Troop D called in Broko and Wasserman. Within minutes the two would track down the suspects responsible, saving valuable time and keeping a community safe.
"To be able to utilize a tool as valuable as a dog, you are able to take that evil off the street," said K9 handler Chris Wasserman.
Broko and Wasserman joined Troop-D on December 19th. The two are the second K-9 unit at the post. Units priceless when it comes to saving valuable time on the scene. New Year’s Eve presented one of those situations.
A call came in of a home invasion on Litchfield Ave in Rogers. The caller reported someone was shot in the face.
"We were called in knowing that the suspect had fled. That way we can start the track and try to locate them," said Wasserman.
It didn’t take one-year-old Broko long to catch the scent left in the air from the two suspects who fled the home.
"Right from the get-go, Broko was on," said Wasserman. "I can tell immediately at the beginning of a track he had the odor."
Broko led Wasserman down Litchfield Ave about an eighth of a mile. The track taking no longer than five minutes.
"He took me into a driveway and right to the front door. He started to learn on the door at that point. Which is a pretty solid indication that the suspects are in there," said Wasserman.
Two Juvenile suspects were inside the home. Once they heard the barks of Broko they instantly came out and surrendered.
"When you have a dog there barking telling us that you’re in there, the gig is kind of up at that point," said Wasserman.
Both juveniles were taken into custody. One of the suspects, a 17-year-old male, admitted to shooting the victims with a BB gun. One was shot in the right eye. The other in the wrist. Both victims are expected to be ok.
Wasserman says it’s taking bad guys off the streets that make the job worth it and having a partner like Broko, priceless.
"It’s just very cool to be on this side of the leash," said Wasserman. "For him to show me what he can do and see his capabilities gives you a whole new respect for animals and for the dogs as a whole."
Wasserman says the first couple of weeks on the job with Broko have been great. He’s been working with Broko since he was 8-months-old. The two expect to serve alongside each other for many years to come.