CCSO K9, Deputy Injured While Arresting Armed Robbery Suspects

TROUTDALE, OR — A Clackamas County Sheriff's Office deputy and K9 were reportedly injured during the arrest of a married couple suspected of armed robbery at a Safeway gas station in Troutdale on Sunday.

CCSO K9 Valli was part of the team assisting the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office during a search for Joshua Vaughn Miller and his wife Sandra Dee Miller.

The Millers, originally from Unionville, Virginia, were considered suspects in an armed robbery May 7 after Multnomah County deputies matched their car with the description of the robbers' getaway vehicle.

As previously reported on Patch, MCSO deputies were dispatched to the Safeway on Cherry Park Road in Troutdale around 11:15 p.m. May 6.

Witnesses reportedly told investigators that two people wearing masks approached the gas station attendants as they were shutting down the pumps for the night. Armed with a handgun and knife, the masked suspects robbed the attendants and fled in a vehicle.

The Millers were spotted as they were pulling onto eastbound Interstate-84, officials said, noting the pair opted to flee and, after a time, ultimately led law enforcement on an eastward chase in the westbound lanes on I-84.

The Millers eventually got off the freeway and escaped when deputies lost sight of their getaway car.

Deputies still searching the area reportedly found the Millers' vehicle about an hour later, abandoned on Southeast Bull Run Road in Clackamas County.

Just before 12:45 a.m. May 7, K9 Valli — a 2-year-old Dutch Shepherd — and her handler were sent out to search for the Millers along a steep, heavily wooded hillside outside Sandy, CCSO spokesman Sgt. Brian Jensen said.

When Valli came upon Joshua Miller, he reportedly grabbed Valli, "got on top of her and pushed her down, injuring the animal," Jensen said. "The suspect then started fighting with the K9 handler and other deputies, striking the handler in the face."

Both Valli and her deputy handler were seen for their injuries and released from their respective medical facilities.

Three other law enforcement agencies from Sandy, Oregon City, and Clackamas County helped with the search for the Millers.

Images via Multnomah and Clackamas county sheriff's offices