Search finds ‘stolen’ dogs, officer injured

A search warrant issued to track down thousands of dollars worth of stolen cigarettes last month has led to the recovery of two dogs reported stolen from a pound in the State’s north in January, and an officer being injured in the process.

Following a break-in at Harvey Caltex on March 12, where police will allege offenders smashed the front door and stole $5000 worth of cigarettes, police executed a search warrant on a Benger property the same day.

Earlier in the year, Karratha Dog Pound reported two mix breed Staffordshire terrier dogs as stolen.

The alleged link to the stolen dogs and two women was uncovered when six police officers arrived at the house of the women who they believed were suspects in the Caltex robbery.

Upon entering the premises, the dogs charged at one of the attending officers.

The owner was able to hold one of the dogs back, but the other went straight for Harvey police Sgt Scott Gillis, biting his lower left calf and leaving him with a medium size bite wound.

Once the dog was restrained, Sgt Gillis performed first aid and then continued to execute the search warrant with the other officers.

While the women were not involved in the Caltex robbery, they were charged with stealing the dogs and being in possession of a dangerous dog.

Sgt Gillis later attended Harvey Hospital for medical treatment to the bite wound, including stitches.

Rockingham detectives have charged two men in relation to the Caltex robbery.