New St. Louis County K-9 tracks down wanted felon

Just two weeks into their new role, the St. Louis County K-9 team successfully tracked down a wanted felon.

K-9 Thor just completed a 14-week training session in June, and is now a certified dual-purpose K-9. That means he is skilled at both narcotics detection and patroling duties, like finding people and evidence work.

The Sheriff’s Office says K-9 Thor and his partner, Deputy Thorne, were called to assist officers Thursday night, who were searching for a man with a felony warrant who had fled on foot from police. Hibbing Police K-9 Chase had successfully tracked the subject for quite a distance, but needed rest after some time. Deputy Thorne and K-9 Thor were called in to take over.

Authorities say K-9 Thor followed down a gravel road into a wooded area, leading directly to where the suspect was hiding behind a log. The suspect was taken into custody, and is being held at the St. Louis County Jail.

Deputy Thorne and K-9 Thor are based out of the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office in Hibbing, and will primarily serve the northern part of the County. The Sheriff’s Office has three additional K-9s teams serving the county, and the addition of Thor brings the K-9 program back to full strength.