A fare-beater should have paid his way for the train, because the Diesel got him — K9 Diesel, that is.
On the evening of Wed., Aug. 28, K9 Diesel, handled by Transit K9 Police Officer Edwin Ramirez, right, led police to the suspect, who was hiding under a metal concrete mixing bin inside a room under construction in the Dream Hotel, at 355 W. 16th St.
The man had just jumped a turnstile inside the A/C/E subway station at W. 16th St. and Eighth Ave. and resisted arrest for theft of service, causing minor injuries to a 22-year-old female Transit police officer. The fare-beater fled on foot, leaving behind his baseball cap and shirt.
Upon arriving at the scene, Officer Ramirez directed K9 Diesel to smell the items and “track,” whereupon the 7-year-old German shepherd led police across Eighth Ave. and west on 16th St. until he reached a door at 355 W. 16th St., a side entrance to the hotel.
Once inside, K9 Diesel “indicated” toward a second door, leading to a large room under construction. Assisted by Officers Arthur McDonnell and Abdulbasset Montaser, police secured and canvassed the room and found the suspect, a 32-year-old Jersey City resident, hiding under the bin, covered in cement.
The man was arrested and charged with theft of service, resisting arrest, criminal trespass and obstructing governmental administration.
It was all in day’s work for K9 Diesel and Officer Ramirez.
