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Police dog takes bite out of crime at old Dogwater

A man is in jail and accused of burglary after authorities answer a call at the now-vacant cafe.

By JACOB H. FRIES
Published October 20, 2006

CLEARWATER - Irony is not just the creation of writers and artists. Sometimes, it's in life.

Consider an incident handled by Clearwater police on Tuesday evening, as recounted by department spokesman Wayne Shelor:

It began with a 911 call at 7:05 p.m. The caller said a man was stealing televisions from the now-vacant Dogwater Cafe on Countryside Boulevard.

(Remember "Dogwater.")

Sgt. David Dalton arrived first, spoke with the man who called 911 and, knowing the burglar was still inside, radioed for backup. Sgt. Eric Gandy and his police dog Champ pulled up.

The three entered the building and Champ quickly signaled that the burglar was in the attic. The officers went to the attic and found an intruder hiding beneath pink insulation and a lamp shade propped on his head.

Dalton and Gandy called out "Police!" and moved closer when the man shifted his weight and broke through the ceiling floor. He fell 10 feet to the ground level and landed on his back.

Incredibly, he then jumped up and raced outside, past officers and into a drainage pond on the west side of the building.

The officers ordered the man to come out. He refused. They warned him they would have to send in Champ.

And that's what happened: The dog went into the water.

After that, the suspect cooperated. He came out with bites to his ear and arm, went to the hospital and then the Pinellas County Jail.

That's where Robert Kenneth Yauger, 52, remained Wednesday night on charges of burglary, possession of burglary tools and resisting arrest without violence. His bail was set at $15,250.

"Sometimes," Shelor said, "the long arm of the law is empowered with teeth."

[Last modified October 19, 2006, 23:03:55]