YPD K-9 tracks down OSP pursuit suspect

A Youngstown Police Department K-9 officer helped track down a suspect accused of leading a State Trooper on a pursuit through the city’s South Side early Friday.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol began chasing a car for an alleged traffic violation on Interstate 680 just after midnight.

Troopers say the chase ran a red light as the chase continued onto Woodland Avenue and then Market Street, where the driver abandoned the car near Dewey Avenue. A fire hydrant was struck during the pursuit.

The K-9 was brought in to help search the neighborhood and found the suspect, who EMTs treated for a dog bite.

Troopers say the suspect had a gun.  He is likely to be charged with a weapons violation since he is on probation for a previous sex offense and was not permitted to possess firearms.

He was booked into the Mahoning County Justice Center, awaiting a court hearing.