Wildomar Suspect Comes Up Short In Tangle With Police Dog

A probationer accused of striking a police canine at the end of a chase in Murrieta that started when officers attempted to detain the defendant for allegedly carrying illegal drugs pleaded not guilty today to felony assault on a police service dog and resisting arrest.

Patrick McVeigh Kirk, 22, of Wildomar was arrested Tuesday afternoon following a foot pursuit that culminated in a fight with police. Kirk is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta.

According to Murrieta police Sgt. Dave Baca, around 4 p.m. Tuesday, officers stopped a driver for a traffic violation outside a Kohl's store at Juniper Street and Madison Avenue.

The motorist, 58-year-old Lydia Elizabeth Van Horn, was confirmed to be on probation, and officers conducted a search of her vehicle, which was occupied by Kirk and two other people, Baca said.

The search uncovered drugs and drug paraphernalia, prompting the officers to arrest Van Horn on the spot. However, when they attempted to handcuff Kirk, the defendant took off running, Baca alleged.

"He ran into traffic, across Madison Avenue and attempted to open the driver's side door to a vehicle that was stopped in northbound lanes," the sergeant said. "Luckily, the door was locked, and (Kirk) continued northbound across the lanes of traffic."

The fleeing man reached the 24700 block of Madison before a police K9 unit caught up with him, and the dog was turned loose, Baca said.

"During the apprehension, the suspect was physically assaulting the police service canine and was resisting arrest," Baca said. "He was ultimately restrained and placed in handcuffs."

Kirk and an officer suffered minor injuries during the scuffle. Both were treated at a hospital and released a short time later. The dog was not hurt.

Van Horn was arrested and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance. She pleaded guilty during her arraignment today and was sentenced to three years probation and compulsory attendance in a drug counseling program.

The other two passengers in her vehicle were questioned and released from custody Tuesday afternoon, Baca said.

According to court records, Kirk has prior misdemeanor convictions for theft and fraud, for which he received three years probation in 2010. He had outstanding warrants in connection with separate cases in which he's charged with obstructing a peace officer, shoplifting and burglary.

Baca said investigators are still hoping to find the individual whom Kirk allegedly tried to carjack. Anyone with information was asked to call the police department at (951) 696-3615. --City News Service