Injured K9 Nabs Armed Burglary Suspect

BRADENTON, FL — A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office K9 managed to snag an armed burglary suspect Tuesday night even after being cut on the leg and punched.

According to the sheriff’s office, the incident began to unfold when deputies were called out to a home in the 2000 block of Bay Drive just before 7 p.m. Nov. 29. Deputies had been told that a man wearing jeans and no shirt was breaking out windows and lights at a home under construction.

When units responded to the Bay Drive home, two deputies went to the front of the property while a third went out back. The deputy in the back heard a commotion coming from inside the house and then watched as a man jumped through the sliding glass door, shattering it, a report said.

The deputy announced himself and challenged the man, the report noted. The man, however, took off and Deputy Wolfinger released K9 Loki. The man kept running and tried to leave the backyard through a wooden gate. He is accused of slamming that gate on Loki, causing a 1-inch cut to the dog’s right front leg.

Deputies say the cut didn’t deter Loki. He bit the man in the rib cage. At that point, the man began punching the dog, the email said. The man was ordered to stop and was ultimately taken into custody, the report said.

The man has been identified as Simon Williamsen. He was taken to a hospital for medical clearance before being booked into the Manatee County jail on armed burglary, criminal mischief, resisting arrest and battery on a police K9 charges. Deputies noted finding two white-handled filet knifes on the property.

Williamsen remained in the Manatee County Jail Wednesday morning in lieu of $22,500 bond, according to county records.

Loki, the sheriff's office said, did not require medical attention after the incident.

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