Los Angeles: A Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) police dog (K-9) was assaulted by a robbery suspect, who tried to run away from police officers.

On Thursday, August 14, 2008 at about 1:40 a.m., LAPD officers went to investigate a "robbery suspect there now" radio call at the 7700 block of Apperson Street in the Foothill area. While officers were talking to the victim, the victim saw the suspects across the street. The officers drove across the street to detain the suspects, but they tried to run away.

Officers established a perimeter and called for assistance from the Metropolitan Division's Canine Unit to search the area for the robbery suspects.

K-9 Officers Cliff Chu, who has 11 years and 8 months with the Department, came to the location with his K-9 partner "Sega." Officers formed a search team and began searching the area. K-9 Sega found one of the suspects, 23-year-old Enrique Contreras, hiding under a vehicle, which was parked in a driveway. Contreras assaulted Sega while he tried to hide himself further under the vehicle. Sega made contact with Contreras after being hit. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident. The second suspect, a 16-year-old, was found hiding in a shed.

Los Angeles Fire Department emergency medical personnel came to the scene and transported Contreras to a local hospital where he was treated for injuries to his right arm.

No officers were injured, including K-9 Sega.

Force Investigation Division is handling the investigation.