Dog shot during pursuit of robbery suspect in Indio

The Indio Police Department arrested a man near Ocotillo Avenue Thursday morning, but officers continue to search for another suspect who’s still on the run.

According to Sgt. Dan Marshall with the Indio Police Department, officers attempted to pull a car over Thursday morning when the driver failed to stop and a pursuit began. The two men in the car were suspected of armed robbery.

The chase was reported around 10:30 a.m. The suspects ran from the car when police caught up to them on Ocotillo Avenue.

Sgt. Marshall said one suspect ran directly into a backyard and two officers were walking up to the yard when a 1-year-old pit bull ran out of the gate.

Marshall said the dog lunged at the first officer and was then shot by the second officer.

Police caught one suspect, who hasn’t been identified yet, shortly after the dog was shot. He was taken into custody on felony charges. But Marshall said officers are still searching for a second suspect, who they said is a Hispanic man.

“We take this very seriously, and there is an open investigation into the discharging of the weapon,” said Sgt. Marshall.

The owners of the pit bull were obviously very upset and didn’t want to speak to News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 on camera. One of their neighbors told us it was a good dog, but others told us they would see the dog roaming the streets regularly by itself and they were afraid to let their kids play outside.

“It’s just sad for the fact that they have to go through this,” says Gabriella Lopez who lives across the street and said she never had a problem with the dog.

News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 will keep you updated as the search for the suspect and investigation into the discharged weapon move forward.

If you can’t watch us on TV, you can always watch us online.

If you have any information on the armed robbery suspect you’re asked to call Crime Stoppers at 760 341-STOP.