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Tiny dog leads police to suspect in hiding
By Art Campos - acampos@sacbee.com
Last Updated 9:57 am PST Friday, December 28, 2007
Story appeared in METRO section, Page B2
Pint-sized Tank peers out of Daniel Anderson's sweater. The pet is credited with helping law enforcement officers make an arrest. Anderson family
Chris and Wendy Anderson have a crime fighter in their north Auburn home, and he's no bigger than 10 inches tall and 3 1/2 pounds.
Tank, a Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix, is credited by sheriff's deputies with flushing out a fleeing suspect who had been in a stolen minivan and was hiding under a motor home nearby.
When a Placer County sheriff's deputy and his canine unit showed up, Tank led them to the suspect's new hiding spot deeper in the trees.
The suspect gave up without a whimper.
The Andersons' son Daniel, 20, said he was surprised to see bravery in Tank.
"I think it is so cool, considering he's never done anything like that before," Daniel Anderson said.
He said that after the arrest, the sheriff's deputy pointed to the pint-sized, 2 1/2-year-old dog and said, "That's a canine unit right there!"
The chase occurred on Christmas Day.
The California Highway Patrol had been pursuing a minivan stolen in Reno and heading west on Interstate 80 at speeds of more than 100 mph.
The driver took an exit into Auburn and ended up on Dry Creek Road, where he crashed the minivan into a dirt embankment near the Anderson home.
The driver and a male passenger jumped out and ran.
CHP Officer Darrell Nishimi said the driver, 17, was caught within minutes.
However, the other suspect eluded officers for more than 20 minutes.
With a law enforcement helicopter hovering overhead, the fleeing man took refuge under a motor home parked across the street from the Anderson home.
The family came outside, saw the man and signaled the copter.
That's when Tank joined the fray, barking at the suspect until he ran.
Booked into the Placer County jail on suspicion of running from an officer and of public intoxication was Marvin Gonzalez, 19, of San Pablo.
The driver, from Sausalito, was booked into the Placer County Juvenile Detention Center on suspicion of vehicle theft, evading an officer and driving without a license.
Wendy Anderson said she has a newfound respect for the diminutive dog, who was given the name Tank as a bit of joke because the family knew he'd be undersized.
"He's like a big dog in a little dog's suit," she said.
About the writer:
- The Bee's Art Campos can be reached at (916) 773-2825.
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