K9 Alex Tracks Down Hit and Run Suspect: MA State Police

GRAFTON, MA — A K9 from the Massachusetts State Police was able to track down a suspect who fled the scene of a hit and run early on Sunday morning in Grafton.

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Just before 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, state police got a 911 call from a person who reported being struck by a pickup truck, with its driver refusing to stop. Police followed the truck off the Mass. Pike and onto Ray Street in Grafton, where the suspect fled on foot.

Trooper Mark August and four K9s who were working on a nearby patrol arrived, and Trooper Jeff Johnson deployed K9 Alex on the track from the crashed vehicle. Alex quickly picked up a scent, which led police through backyards and in between a row of bushes, where he found the suspect, said police.

Shining a light on the suspect, police said he was lying on his back and refused to show his hands. Trooper Johnson commanded that he show his hands several times, but the suspect instead started kicking the team.

K-9 Alex apprehended the suspect and was able to pull him into the open where he was safely taken into custody.

The suspect was charged with operating under the influence (third offense), leaving the scene of a crash, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and operating after license suspension.