Police Dog Choked By Accused Armed Robber

CLEARWATER, FL — Clearwater Police have arrested a man accused of choking a police K9 after committing an armed robbery Monday.

According to police, a man concealing his face with his shirt entered the Sunoco gas station at 3130 Gulf to Bay Blvd. in Clearwater, at 2:09 a.m. He grabbed the female clerk on duty and threatened to punch her if she did not give him money. He left with cash.

Clearwater Police K9 Axe tracked the robber to the Tradewinds Condominium. As officers were taking the man, identified as Ivenson Jean Fils, 31, of Orlando, into custody, police said he grabbed Axe's collar and twisted it, choking the dog. He also tried to bite and kick officers.

Fils said he needed the money to buy a Greyhound bus ticket to get back to Orlando.Instead, he was taken to the Pinellas County Jail. He's been charged with strong-armed robbery, battery on a police dog and resisting arrest with violence.