Methuen K-9 Kilo Leads Police to Armed Robbery Suspect

Officer Christine Nicolosi and K-9 Kilo tracked an armed robbery suspect, which led to an arrest over the weekend. (Photograph courtesy of Methuen Police.)

Methuen Police K-9 Kilo led Methuen Police to an alleged attempted armed robber over the weekend.

The incident stemmed from a woman reporting she was robbed at gunpoint Saturday, Aug. 19, around 1 a.m., outside China Star restaurant, 436 Prospect St. The unidentified woman told police a man approached her while she was walking to her car, pointed a firearm at her and demanded money. When she screamed, the man fled on foot, leaving behind a baseball cap for K-9 Kilo to sniff.

“Thanks to the quick work of responding officers and K-9 Kilo, we were able to apprehend this suspect without any further incident,” Police Chief Joseph E. Solomon said.

Forty-two-year-old Edward Thomas Orta-Ruiz, of Lawrence, was arrested after being tracked to his Ferry Street home by Officer Christine Nicolosi and Kilo. He was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and attempt to commit armed robbery. He was taken into custody without incident and held at the Methuen Police Department pending arraignment in Lawrence District Court.

Mayor Stephen N. Zanni said, “This is another proud moment for the City of Methuen as a dangerous suspect has been taken off of the streets.”