State Police Dog Helps Find Man Who Fired Gun In Woburn

WOBURN, MA — Woburn and State Police arrested a man after a brief search near Samoset Road early Friday morning. Woburn Police asked for assistance from the State Police K-9 unit after responding to a report of a man who fired a gun in the neighborhood and fled on foot. State Police said the man's name was not being released because he was involved in a domestic incident.

Massachusetts State Police Trooper Dan Purtell and his police dog, Neko, tracked the suspect through backyards and onto Anna Road. The dog tracked the suspect to a shed in the backyard of an Anna Road home, and other troopers surrounded the structure. Purtell ordered anyone inside to come out and the suspect responded by yelling, "OK, I don’t have a gun!"

The dog also helped police find a semi-automatic handgun that police believe the suspect dropped in the yard as he fled. Police also found two shell casings near the home where the search for the suspect started.

The man was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful discharge of a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling. He also had an outstanding warrant, State Police said.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).