A burglary suspect who was reluctant to surrender to police was apprehended by Nero, a police dog, Thursday afternoon in Estate Diamond west, the V.I. Police Department reported.
According to police, officers responded to a report of a burglary in progress at about 1:30 p.m. in an unoccupied apartment behind the Cruzan Wings restaurant on Centerline Road.
The suspect, who was later identified as 29-year-old David Allen, was seen by police inside the apartment attempting to remove items. Allen was ordered by police to surrender but the suspect refused to obey.
Officers repeated the order and warned that the K-9 officer would be sent after him, but the suspect still refused to comply, according to the report. According to the report, Allen became more combative and agitated. Police again repeated the order to surrender, which was ignored.
Officers deployed Nero, who subdued the suspect.
Allen was charged with third-degree burglary and held on $25,000 bail. He was remanded to the custody of the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility pending further court action.
St. Croix acting Police Chief James Parris commended all officers for their quick response and subsequent apprehension of the suspect. He urged the community to continue to be "the eyes and ears of the police department," saying their involvement is an essential part of law enforcement.
