DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS K9 UNIT TRACKS DOWN GEORGIA ESCAPEES:
Congratulations to the Department of Corrections K-9 unit for a job well done. On 04-23-02 at approximately 0200 hours K-9 supervisor John Lutenberg was contacted by the Gunnison County Sheriff's Department to assist in the search for 3 fugitives who had escaped from a Georgia prison and were armed and dangerous. Lutenberg contacted canine handlers John Rogers and Terry Brown and backup man Jim Dalton to assist in the search effort. Upon arrival, 2 suspects were in custody and one was still at large. At approximately 0600 hours the 4 men engaged in the search for the remaining fugitive. They scored the area analyzing foot print trails in order to find the remaining suspects footprints. After determining which tracks to follow, John Rogers started canine Cisco on the trail. The team advanced along the trail in a wilderness area northeast toward hills and ridges. After trailing the individual for approximately 1 mile, the trail turned uphill and into a steep ravine running up the hill to the top. The team continued to trail. About half way up the ridge, they were contacted by a Department of Wildlife officer who was monitoring their progress and scanning ahead with a visual devise. He advised the team that he saw something up ahead of the team about 150 yards that may be the suspect. As the team approached the area, Rogers pulled the dog from the trail and he and Lutenberg went to the right of the ravine while Dalton and Brown continued up the ravine. After Lutenberg and Rogers reached the top of a steep rock face, they they observed the suspect hiding among a group of boulders. A short foot chase ensued and the suspect was taken into custody without incident by all 4 members the search team. Handlers John Rogers and Terry Brown are 2001 graduates of The Canine Training Academy.