FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2025
Gastonia Police K-9 Team Locates Three Juvenile Suspects Following Vehicle Theft
Gastonia, NC - Officers with the Gastonia Police Department responded to a stolen vehicle report CR# 2025-50839 at approximately 11:55 P.M. on Monday, July 14, at the Circle K located at 2106 N. Chester Street. The victim told officers he was pumping gas and briefly stepped inside the store, leaving the keys in the vehicle. During that time, four individuals jumped into the car and drove off.
A short time later, officers spotted the stolen vehicle near North Weldon Street and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The suspects stopped the car in the roadway and fled on foot.
Corporal Canipe and his K-9 partner Bando were called to the scene to begin a track. K-9 Bando, a German Shepherd, led officers through several hundred yards of thick woods behind Beaverbrook Drive. The first suspect was located in a creek and taken into custody without incident.
K-9 Bando was redeployed and picked up the track again. Moments later, Bando located two additional suspects hiding in a large kudzu patch. Both surrendered peacefully.
Three suspects taken into custody were juveniles. The juveniles were referred to the Department of Juvenile Justice.
GPD would like to remind citizens to always lock their doors and take their keys, even if they are leaving for a quick second.
One suspect remains at large. The investigation is ongoing. Video of Bando: https://we.tl/t-Wo0wnmEmyX
Media Contact:
Bill McGinty
Public Information/Media Relations
Gastonia Police Department
Cell: 704-419-0266