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The ordeal began Saturday morning, Oct. 22, when the suspect was seen running into the Rocky Point State Pine Barrens Preserve, Suffolk County Police said.
That’s when officer Matthew Dewitt and his canine partner, Champ, “did what they do best: track down the bad guy,” the department said in a statement.
Three hours went by before the pair finally found the suspect, identified as Daniel Labbe, age 42, of Medford, hiding in a wooded area, police said.
Labbe was arrested for allegedly stealing two catalytic converters from a box truck in a parking lot on Route 25A in Rocky Point earlier that day, according to police.
Following the arrest, Suffolk County Police issued a warning for any other would-be thieves out there.
“You can run, but you can’t hide,” the department said. “Thank you Office Dewitt and Champ for your persistence and hard work.”
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