Const. Lydia Cesar with PSD Zee. Police photos.
Two police service dogs (PSD) are being credited for rounding up two alleged thieves who tried to steal from area homeowners.
Police said one daring PSD jumped out of a second floor window after a suspect who tried to escape after an attempted break and enter.
Const. John Zivcic died in the line of duty. Zee is named after him.
The most recent case involved PSD Zee, and his handler Const. Lydia Cesar, who responded to a possible car thief in the Bloor Street W., and Royal York Road last week.
The alleged thief crashed into a police vehicle as he tried to flee.
“A suspect fled on foot and was tracked by the PSD Zee into a backyard where he was found hiding on the roof of a house,” according to police.
Const. Rabie Kazzouh and PSD Rookie.
They said the Emergency Task Force and Fire Department were called and the suspect was eventually taken into custody without incident.
Cesar is a 15-year veteran of the force and previously served in various front-line and investigative positions.
Her partner Zee is an 18-month-old Belgian Malinois, who was named in honour of Const. John Zivcic who died on duty in 2013 following a collision. Cesar and Zivcic were long-time friends.
Later, Const. Rabie Kazzouh and PSD Rookie attended a call to a house in the Bathurst Street and St Clair Avenue W. area after someone tried to break and enter a home.
“When PSD Rookie was sent in to search the house he immediately located the suspect who decided to jump out a second floor window in an attempt to escape,” police said.
Suspect-nabbing PSD Rookie taking a break.
“Rookie was determined to get the suspect and went right out the window after him, arresting the suspect in a nearby wooded area,” according to his handler.
The PSD did not suffer any injuries.
“Amazing teamwork by all officers and dispatched involved in these two events,” according to a police release.