ELYRIA K9 TRACKS SUSPECT

When an Elyria Police Officer spotted Tremayne L. Wallace driving erratically along Prospect Street late last night he attempted to stop the vehicle to see what was wrong. Once the lights were turned on Wallace refused to stop, even running a stop sign. Wallace turned onto Cambridge Ave heading westbound with the Officer following behind still attempting to get him to stop. Apparently not familiar with the area, Wallace headed down Cambridge where it dead ends. Not letting a little thing like a dead end road stop him, Wallace drove through the backside of Elyria Memorial Hospital and then through the school yard of McKinley Elementary only coming to rest once his car struck fire hydrant at East River and Lincoln Street. Wallace then jumped from his car and fled on foot. Officers surrounded the area setting up a perimeter to box Wallace in for Officer Rick Walker and his K9 partner Stuka.

Lieutenant Andy Eichenlaub of the Elyria Police Department said that Stuka performed just as he was trained to last night. “When Officer Walker and Stuka arrived they started at the suspects car to begin their tracking. During the search Stuka was able to track the suspect over various surfaces such as pavement, grass and gravel.” Lt. Eichenlaub said that Stuka lead his Handler to a sweatshirt that Wallace had discarded in a back yard then shortly after that directly to where Wallace was hiding. “He was smart enough to give himself up once he heard Stuka, he then followed all of Officer Walkers commands and was taken into custody.” Lt. Eichenlaub said that had Wallace not given up Stuka would have been let off his leash to go in after Wallace.

Elyria Police Officer Rick Walker, who has been Stuka’s handler since October of 2006, said that temperature, wind conditions and terrain play a major role in the success of tracking. “As far as different surfaces go, each one has pro's and cons. By far, pavement, such as asphalt, and concrete make tracking pretty tough. Stuka is going off the scent from ground disturbances. Dry cut grass is the best in my option because more scent particles are disturbed. Wet or moist surfaces hold the scents in making for tougher tracks. Unfortunately, in a City track, you encounter almost all the above.”

Lt. Eichenlaub said that Wallace has been charged with Driving Under Suspension, Reckless Operation, Stop Sign and Speeding.

TMC NEWS featured Officer Walker and Stuka in March. To read that story: CLICK HERE