K9 Takes Down Burglary Suspect

K9 officer Nero is credited with tracking and apprehending a city man suspected of breaking into several vehicles and attempting to break into an apartment on Fishcreek Road.

Joshua Thomas Kallmeyer, 21, of 3747 Lake Run Blvd. in Stow, was arrested by Stow Police on Oct. 29 and charged with attempted burglary, a third-degree felony, as well as misdemeanor charges of obstructing official business, resisting arrest, theft and three counts of criminal mischief.

Police Lt. Anne Stirm said officers first responded to a 6:24 a.m. call about a male subject breaking into cars in the 2800 block of Heatherwood Court.

“The caller yelled at the subject and he fled into an area toward Lake Run Boulevard.  The subject was tracked behind Country Manor Apartments on Fishcreek Road where the track was lost,” Stirm said.

The resident manager at Country Manor later called police to report a male was seen breaking into cars in the parking lot. Stirm said that when police arrived at the apartments, K9 Nero was put into action to track and capture Kallmeyer.

“Just prior to his apprehension, (Kallmeyer) was observed at an open apartment window in which the screen was removed and set aside,” Stirm said.

A police report indicated Kallmeyer received dog bites on his right upper arm and ribs. Stirm said that’s typical in situations where police K9s are put into action.

“When a subject is apprehended by Nero, he is trained to take the subject down and this involves biting,” she said, adding that Kallmeyer was treated for minor injuries as a result of the apprehension.

Nero has been a member of the department since about 2004. His handler is police officer Ted Bell.

While a police report said Kallmeyer was “linked to a string of offenses,” Stirm said that referred to the events of Oct. 29.

She could not respond to whether there was a link .