GLENDALE, Calif. — A wanted suspect was taken into custody after he fled from police, ran into a stranger’s home and then strangled a police K9 that was deployed to apprehend him earlier this week, police said.
The incident began just after 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, when Glendale officers noticed a man looking into the windows of parked vehicles in the city and then enter a restricted motel area, the Glendale Police Department said in a press statement.
The police agency provided the following overview:
Officers contacted the male, later identified as 29-year-old Rodrigo Calderon of Glendale, and noticed a bulge in his waistband. While they were speaking with him, an employee of the motel came outside and told Calderon he was in a restricted area that was for employees only. A subsequent search of Calderon produced pepper spray and magnets. Officers also discovered that Calderon potentially had a no bail parole warrant and a separate $500,000 warrant out for his arrest. While officers were confirming his identity, Calderon took off on foot running toward Colorado St.
Officers chased Calderon until he ran into a residence on the 1500 block of Orange Grove Ave. Shortly after, a resident exited the location and stated a male unknown to them (Calderon) had just ran into their house. Officers were able to evacuate the second resident and confirmed that Calderon was the only person remaining in the house. Officers had also used departmental resources to confirm Calderon’s identity and that he had the above mentioned active warrants. After several announcements were made by officers for Calderon to exit the residence, he refused. Officers from GPD’s K-9 Unit announced that they would be releasing a K-9 into the residence. Calderon continued to refuse to exit and the K-9 was released into the residence followed by a search team.
Officers observed the K-9 enter a room at the location, then heard barking and yelling. Officers entered the room and saw that Calderon was on top of the K-9 with his arm around the K-9’s neck, actively strangling the dog. Officers gave Calderon orders to release the K-9, but he refused to comply. A taser was subsequently deployed and Calderon was taken into custody. Calderon received medical treatment for his injuries, then was transported and booked at the Glendale PD Jail for burglary and obstruction along with two outstanding warrants and a parole violation.
During the investigation, it was learned that Calderon had booked a room at a nearby hotel with another individual. Officers performed a parole compliance check at the room and 23-year-old Isaiah Miller (transient) was located inside of the room. A search of the room produced four small plastic bindles of methamphetamine, a glass pipe with a bulbous end, a large amount of cash in various denominations, and two bank cards in other people’s names. Miller was arrested for possessing a controlled substance for sale and identity theft. Due to LA County’s emergency “Zero-Dollar” bail order, Miller was released from custody with a notice to appear in court at a later date.
K-9 Coda was examined and appeared in good health after the incident.
