VIDEO: Jonesboro K-9 Bites Handler After Fleeing Suspect’s Arrest

JONESBORO, Ark. — A Jonesboro police officer was injured Sunday morning after a department K-9 bit him following the arrest of a fleeing suspect, according to the Jonesboro Police Department.

Advertisement
Advertisement

At 8:17 a.m. Sunday, an officer attempted to stop a vehicle on South Culberhouse. The driver quickly accelerated and left the scene of the initial stop, police said.

The vehicle traveled through a stop sign without slowing for oncoming traffic, and the officer witnessed several other traffic violations, according to JPD.

Police said the vehicle was registered to an owner on Nisbett Street. The officer went to that location to gather more information about the occupants. After turning south onto Nisbett Street, officers saw the vehicle parked in a gravel parking lot behind an apartment.

Additional units arrived and cleared the vehicle. The driver was identified as Jerry Cornealious Brown, police said.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing the suspect running from the area. Brown was located a short time later, obeyed verbal commands and was arrested at the scene, according to JPD.

Brown faces charges including fleeing, possession of a controlled substance, driving with a suspended license, failure to appear, an out-of-town warrant and reckless driving.

After Brown’s arrest, officers conducted an article search in the area. During the search, JPD said K-9 Rocky scaled a fence.

As Officer Zach Hobbs, Rocky’s handler, attempted to retrieve the dog, Hobbs lifted him back to his side. Police said Rocky was potentially scraped and yelped during the attempt before he began biting Hobbs.

An Arkansas State Police trooper assisted in restraining the dog, according to JPD.

Hobbs suffered multiple bite wounds to both arms and his upper right thigh. He later sought treatment at an area hospital.

JPD said Hobbs and Rocky were reunited Monday morning, and Rocky was happy to see him.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.