DADE COUNTY THIEVES TARGET MARTIN COUNTY BUSINESSES, SUSPECT PUNCHES K-9 BINGO
A rash of burglaries targeting lawn equipment and maintenance businesses in Martin County ended around 3am Monday when 29-year old Cabrara Alvarez, and 27-year old Marteli Pintado tested the skills of Martin County Sheriff’s midnight shift deputies and K-9 Bingo.
Deputies, who were already on high alert following recent business burglaries, responded to a burglary in progress call at a company on the 3300 block of SE Dixie Highway. Upon arrival, they discovered Alverez and Pintado on the premises. Both men tried to run from deputies to avoid capture.
The suspects attempted to hide in a boat which was stored on the property. After failing to comply with numerous commands to surrender, MCSO K-9 Deputy Justin Albauer deployed his K-9 Bingo. The dog located Pintado, who in turn began punching Bingo repeatedly. Despite taking multiple blows to the face and neck, Bingo didn’t back down and performed a K-9 apprehension of Pintado. Alverez then surrendered to deputies moments before Bingo was set to be deployed to track him.
Alverez and Pintado were both charged with burglary, possession of burglary tools and resisting arrest. Pintado was also charged with battery on a police dog.
Detectives are investigating whether the pair is responsible for other burglaries targeting local lawn equipment and lawn maintenance companies.
Despite being punched repeatedly by the burglary suspect, Bingo is back at it, doing his daily chase the Kong exercises. Bingo was punched and kicked by a fleeing suspect a few months ago as well. That suspect was also apprehended. Much like this recent case, Bingo apprehended the suspect, dusted off his paws and immediately trotted back to his handler/partner Deputy Justin Albauer ready to respond to the next call.
