MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Police arrested a robbery suspect who led officers on a chase from Hialeah to Miami Gardens.
The incident began at 2125 W. 52nd Street in Hialeah on Thursday morning.
"A man in front of an apartment complex dials 911 stating he just got robbed at gunpoint, describes the vehicle, describes the suspect, gives us a tag number -- fantastic information. Minutes later, a Hialeah police [K-9] officer picks up on this vehicle traveling northbound on the Palmetto [Expressway] fleeing from the area," said Hialeah police spokesman Carl Zogby.
That officer, Fernando Hernandez, and his police K-9, Bill, followed the suspect but they crashed on the Palmetto Expressway. Other officers picked up the chase, which ended at Northwest 32nd Avenue and 197th Street about 10:25 a.m. when Antoine Bacquie crashed into a police cruiser, Zogby said.
Officers recovered a handgun and a gold chain. Bacquie will be charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of cocain, fleeing an accident and resisting arrest.
Bill was injured in the crash and taken to Hollywood Animal Hospital.
"Luckily, he only had some superficial cuts and bruises," said Dr. Nicole Patterson. "We did x-rays and his x-rays were all clear. No broken bones or anything like that."
Hernandez and Bill have worked together for six years. The dog is an expert in explosives and apprehension.
"If that subject would have jumped out of the vehicle and began to run, Officer Bill was prepared to chase down that subject and take him into custody himself," said Hialeah Police Sgt. Eddie Rodriguez.
Three other police vehicle were damaged in the chase.
Between all charges, Bacquie's bond is $33,500.