Someone barked up the wrong tree.
A Florida burglary suspect on the run from authorities was taken down by a determined police dog who sniffed out the culprit’s nefarious scent high above the ground in the canopy of a tree.
K9 Scout, a highly decorated pooch, found Gregory Yates Jr. tucked away in the evergreen after the alleged lawbreaker attempted to break into a homeowner’s shed and then fled into the woods when cops were called, according to the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office.
“The trail led across NE 640 Street and eventually North, where Scout stopped beneath a tree, looked up, and found Yates trying to blend in with the branches,” the sheriff’s office said Monday.
“Unfortunately for Mr. Yates, Scout doesn’t fall for camouflage. With the kind of enthusiasm only a four-legged deputy can muster, Scout encouraged the suspect down from his perch.”
Yates was taken into custody, along with his alleged accomplice, Nicole Hillesland, who was nabbed lingering near the alleged crime scene when police arrived.
The rebellious duo were each booked into the Dixie County Jail in Cross City, the sheriff’s office said.
They were both charged with burglary of a structure and possession of burglary tools.
K9 Scout is a certified patrol and narcotics detection dog who has received a Medal of Valor and a Medal of Distinction, according to the sheriff’s office.
Scout was moved to the department last year following two years at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
