Three armed suspects on the run, police K9 disappears during pursuit
Provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata said police were concerned about the dog's welfare.
A police patrol dog has gone missing after being deployed to track three armed robbery suspects who fled into dense bushland in Mdantsane, near KuGomp City in the Eastern Cape, on Friday.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has appealed to the public for assistance in locating K9 Floppy, a patrol dog attached to the police K9 Unit, while warning that the suspects remain armed and dangerous.
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According to SAPS, the incident followed an armed robbery at Nzuzo Primary School in NU16, Mdantsane, where three armed men allegedly stole 20 laptops and 15 cellphones before taking the principal’s black Peugeot vehicle and fleeing.
Police said members of the Mdantsane Flying Squad responded and recovered the stolen vehicle about 1km from the school.
The suspects were then spotted running into bushes near a dam.
SAPS said K9 Unit member Sergeant Don and patrol dog Floppy were called in to assist with the search.
The K9 Unit was summoned, and Sergeant Don, together with his patrol dog B8088 Floppy, cornered the suspects in dense bush.
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Police said the suspects ran deeper into thick vegetation, prompting the handler to release Floppy to apprehend them.
“Shortly thereafter, the handler heard a suspect shouting from inside the bush, followed by the sound of gunshots.”
Additional police officers were called to the scene, but when they entered the area, Floppy could not be found and the suspects had escaped.
SAPS said extensive air and ground searches were conducted with assistance from members of the public who volunteered drone support.
Despite the efforts, the search was suspended at 5:30 pm due to poor visibility and is expected to resume at first light on Saturday.
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Provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata said police were concerned about the dog’s welfare.
“We are deeply concerned for the safety of our K9, Floppy, who was bravely performing his duty,” said Ncata.
We urge anyone who may have seen Floppy, or who has any information on the whereabouts of the three suspects now at large, to come forward immediately.
Floppy was wearing a SAPS-issued harness when he disappeared.
Police have urged the public not to approach the suspects.
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Anyone with information about Floppy or the suspects can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111, report it through the MySAPSApp, or visit their nearest police station.
Investigations into the armed robbery, the disappearance of the police dog and the suspects’ escape are continuing.
