K9 subdues man who injured cop

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K9 Karma and Lawrence Bronson [MPD and PCSO/graphic]
K9 Karma and Lawrence Bronson [MPD and PCSO/graphic]

A beloved K9 cop helped arrest a man who injured her handler Thursday, according to the Maricopa Police Department. 

Police arrested 54-year-old Lawrence Bronson after he allegedly attacked an officer while resisting arrest, according to a probable cause statement obtained by InMaricopa. 

After they spotted an expired license plate, cops tried to stop Bronson’s yellow sedan near State Route 238 and Costa Brava Drive around 10 p.m. 

Flashing lights and sirens did not stop Bronson, cops said. He allegedly led them on a chase through the Acacia Crossings neighborhood and eventually pulled into a garage at West Miramar Drive.  

Bronson stepped out as a female passenger, whom police did not identify, ran inside. 

Cops told Bronson he was under arrest and gave him commands to turn around and place his hands behind his back. He allegedly refused and tried to retreat into the garage.  

According to the probable cause statement, Bronson ran from police in an “aggressive manner.” He allegedly refused to get on the ground and to stop resisting. 

As three cops tried to tackle Bronson to the ground, he allegedly attacked Officer Jake Gomez, bruising and lacerating his arm and knee. You might know Gomez’s partner — K9 Karma, the Belgian Malinois police dog who’s helped take down other cop fighters before. 

Karma had another chance to shine and avenge her human partner as Bronson continued resisting arrest. After a struggle with all three officers and the dog, Bronson was finally handcuffed. 

Cops said they suspected Bronson was drunk or high during a subsequent medical evaluation. 

Bronson was cleared at a hospital before he was transported to the Pinal County jail on two felony charges of aggravated assault on an officer and resisting arrest. 

He was also slapped with three misdemeanor charges of DUI, driving with a suspended license and failing to stop. 

He faces over four and a half years in prison. 

Read more public safety stories here. 

Brian Petersheim Jr., Reporter
Brian became part of the InMaricopa team in October 2020, starting as a multimedia intern with a focus on various multimedia tasks. His responsibilities included file organization and capturing photos of events and incidents. After graduating from Maricopa High School in the class of 2021, his internship seamlessly transitioned into a full-fledged job. Initially serving as a dedicated photographer, Brian's role evolved in October 2021 when he took on a new beat as a writer. He is currently pursuing his studies at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Brian's primary focus lies in covering public safety-related stories. In his free time, Brian finds joy in spending quality time with his family and embarking on adventures to explore the landscapes around him.

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