Berlin Police's Newest K-9 Crime Fighter Tracks Down Suspect After Crash

BERLIN — The Berlin Police Department’s newest K9 officer helped track down a suspect who fled the scene of a serious crash on Elton Road, authorities said Friday.

Police said officers responded to a single-car crash Thursday evening in which a utility pole was snapped in half, and wires were down across the roadway.

The vehicle was unoccupied when officers arrived, and footprints in the snow led away from the crash site.

Police said, based on indications, the operator had fled on foot, and officers initiated a K9 track with "Jax," the department’s newest member of its K9 unit.

Police said Jax located Jayden Cruz hiding by a tree in the woods more than a mile from the crash scene.

Cruz was taken into custody without further incident.

Cruz was charged with interfering with an officer/resisting, evading responsibility involving injury or property damage, failure to submit to a sobriety test, failure to drive in the proper lane and illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

"Please welcome K9 Jax to Berlin and congratulate him on his successful track and for being the goodest boy," wrote the BPD.

From Feb. 20: 'Rollover Crash, Downed Wires Close Road In Berlin: FD'