A burglary suspect refused to surrender to police inside the
home he broke into, even after suffering numerous dog bites
inflicted by Morgan Hill’s K-9 officer, police said.
A burglary suspect refused to surrender to police inside the home he broke into, even after suffering numerous dog bites inflicted by Morgan Hill’s K-9 officer, police said.
After about a 45-minute standoff in which no civilians were directly threatened, police were eventually able to make their way into the home and subdue the suspect with a Taser, police said.
Police responded to a call of a residential burglary in progress at an apartment at 200 Burnett Ave., about 5:27 p.m. Friday, according to Morgan Hill Police Sgt. Jerry Neumayer. Inside the residence when officers arrived was Armandomillo Castillo, 34, of Morgan Hill, the lone suspect who locked himself inside when he saw police.
Police called the home’s residents, who were out of town and had not given permission to anyone to be inside, Neumayer said. Officers tried to negotiate with Castillo by telephone, but he refused to exit the home.
About 6:15 p.m., police forced their way through the home’s front door, and found the suspect barricaded inside a bedroom, police said. The officers partially opened the bedroom door and told the suspect they were sending in Pax, the MHPD’s German shepherd police dog.
Castillo did not respond, and the dog was sent inside the bedroom through the narrow opening, Neumayer said. The dog bit and held onto Castillo’s right leg. Police then opened the bedroom door all the way and entered. The suspect was still standing and kicking the police dog with his free foot.
Officers pulled the dog away, and Castillo still refused to follow orders, Neumayer said. Police had to take him to the ground, where Castillo continued to fight. Police were able to arrest him after shocking him with a Taser.
Castillo was transported to San Jose Regional Hospital with numerous dog bite injuries to his leg. He was booked into Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of burglary, resisting arrest and being under the influence of a controlled substance.
Police think Castillo was under the influence of methamphetamine or a similar stimulant, due to his elevated heart rate and other signs, Neumayer said.
