Performing a great deed, Vaala the police dog is awarded a certificate of recognition for assisting in the capture of a suspected thief/Kawasaki

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1212110023/

December, 12, 2012

Having contributed to the apprehension of a young purse-snatcher, police dog Vaala is photographed with Lieutenant Kouichi=Rinkou, Kawasaki police station

Because of her contribution in capturing a purse-snatching teenager, Vaala the police dog was praised on December 11. At the forensics branch of Rinkou, Kawasaki's Police Headquarters, Vaala received not only a certificate of recognition, but also some chicken breast jerky as a bonus. A 7-year old, female German Shepard, Vaala has been working as a police dog for the last 6 years. Said to have the highest level of skill within Kanagawa prefecture, this is now the 35th time Vaala has received an award.

According to the police, a theft occurred around 6:10PM, December 10th on the Ni-Chou-Me Street of Sakuramoto in the Kawasaki Ward of Kawasaki City. A female part-time worker (age 58) riding a bicycle was approached from behind by a male, also on a bike. As he moved ahead of her, he grabbed 5,000 ($60) out of 40,000 yen ($485.00) from a bag located in the front basket of the victim’s bike.

From there, the suspect escaped. In the grounds of a nearby factory, the bicycle was discovered abandoned. Relying on the remaining odor from the bicycle's seat, Vaala began the pursuit. Suspected by police as the thief, the male was discovered hiding in a factory storehouse. The captured suspect is an unemployed 16 year old male who lives in the area.

Accompanying Vaala, Lieutenant Kouichi commented "Vaala was born with a tenacious disposition; (during the search) her partner was nearly out of breath."

Original text:

お手柄警察犬「ヴァーラ号」に感謝状、窃盗容疑者逮捕に貢献／川崎

2012年12月12日

ひったくりの少年逮捕に貢献したヴァーラと内警部補（左）＝川崎臨港署

ひったくりをした少年の逮捕に貢献したとして、川崎臨港署は１１日、県警鑑識課所属の警察犬ヴァーラに表彰状と副賞の「ササミジャーキー」を贈った。ヴァーラは雌７歳のシェパードで、警察犬歴は６年。これまでに３５回の賞を獲得するなど県警でもトップレベルの実力の持ち主という。

同署によると、事件は１０日午後６時１０分ごろ、川崎市川崎区桜本２丁目の路上で発生。自転車で走行中の同区のパート女性（５８）が後方から自転車で近づいてきた男に、前籠に入れてあった現金４万円入りの手提げバッグ（５千円相当）を追い抜きざまにひったくられた。

男はそのまま逃走。近くの工場敷地内に放置されていた自転車が見つかった。ヴァーラはサドルなどに残されていたにおいを手掛かりに追跡を開始。工場内の倉庫に隠れていた男を見つけ、同署は窃盗の疑いで、同区在住の無職少年（１６）を逮捕した。

ヴァーラとコンビを組む内幸一警部補は「ヴァーラは粘り強い性格が持ち味。妻以上に息ぴったりの相棒です」と話していた。