A police dog in Wauconda was injured while assisting officers in arresting a suspect who ran away after a traffic stop on Tuesday evening.
Incident Details
At around 5:50 p.m., a Wauconda police officer patrolling near Route 12 and Bonner Road received an alert about a maroon Hyundai Elantra with Illinois license plates. According to authorities, the vehicle was linked to organized crime and multiple retail thefts. The officer spotted the car heading north on Route 12 and decided to stop it near Case Road after noticing its illegal window tint.
Suspect Attempts to Escape
The driver of the vehicle, Carlos Bautista Figuera, was traveling with a passenger. When officers asked for identification, the passenger gave inconsistent personal details, raising suspicion. As the officer attempted to verify the passenger’s identity, he suddenly ran toward Deacon’s Restaurant & Bar at the Golf Farm.
Police Dog Skye Deployed
During the chase, the officer noticed the suspect reaching into his pocket multiple times. Concerned for safety, the officer gave several warnings before deploying K-9 officer Skye to help detain him. Despite the warnings, the suspect continued resisting arrest.
Arrest and Charges
The suspect was identified as 27-year-old Jose Barico-Pena. After his capture, officers discovered that he had multiple outstanding felony warrants. He was charged with two counts of injuring a police canine in addition to other offenses.
Injured Police Dog
K-9 officer Skye was injured during the arrest, but officials have not disclosed the extent of the injuries. The Wauconda Police Department has not provided further updates on the dog’s condition but confirmed that Skye received medical attention.
Conclusion
This incident highlights the risks that law enforcement officers, including police dogs, face while protecting the community. Authorities continue to investigate the case, and additional charges may be filed against the suspect.
