Sheriff’s K-9 collapses during vehicle check in Arkansas

HUNTSVILLE, Ark. (TCD) --

Three people were arrested after a sheriff’s department K-9 was incapacitated during a drug-sniffing check of a stolen car last week.

Madison County deputies pulled a car over on Highway 23 on Sunday, May 23. The vehicle reportedly matched the description of a car that was involved in the theft of a different vehicle stolen on Thursday, May 20, from the area of Clifty, about 20 miles away.

KFSM-TV reports the stolen vehicle had been shot with bullets and pushed into a river. A car seen on video at the scene of the theft matched the description of the car stopped on May 23.

The driver, identified as Colton Thompson, was placed in the back of a patrol vehicle after allegedly arguing and not cooperating with a deputy, KNWA-TV reports.

“Multiple glass pipes containing marijuana residue, a bag of marijuana weighing 18.1 grams, five plastic baggies, a straw with residue, a syringe, 13 .380 bullets, and a gun holster,” the Madison County Sheriff’s Office said, according to KNWA.

A Madison County Sheriff’s K-9 officer named “Kandy” searching the vehicle collapsed after having a “severe reaction presumably to something she had encountered,” KNWA reports.

The dog’s human partner administered a dose of Narcan, and the dog was taken to a veterinarian clinic, where the dog was treated and later returned to duty.

Two passengers in the car, identified as Jackayla Bruno and Johnny Treat, had outstanding arrest warrants, and they were both taken into custody. The vehicle was impounded.

When the driver, Colton Thompson, was being booked into the Madison County Holding Facility, jail personnel observed a white object “being concealed in Thompson’s person,” the sheriff’s office said, according to KNWA.

“When the Jailer instructed Thompson to take it out, Thompson used his hand to push it further up into his body,” the sheriff’s office said.

Thompson was hospitalized, and a search warrant was served to “obtain the item from inside of Thompson’s person.” The object tested positive for methamphetamine.

The sheriff’s office reportedly said Johnny Treat admitted to law enforcement he and Colton Thompson stolen the vehicle in Clifty and abandoned it.

Colton Thompson was charged with vehicle theft; criminal mischief; tampering with evidence; driving without a license; obstruction; drug possession charges; and driving with expired tags.

Johnny Treat was charged with vehicle theft; criminal mischief; drug possession; and for two unspecified arrest warrants.

Jackayla Bruno was booked on drug possession charges.

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