Methuen K-9 Officer: How My Police Dog Solved the Market Basket Robbery

WHAV is saluting local and state K-9 officers and their four-legged partners in a special series. Listen to the special Dog Days of Summer series Monday through Friday, at 97.9 WHAV FM. The special series is sponsored by the Law Offices of Joseph C. Edwards, Neptune Uniforms, Quinn’s Canine Café and Riverside Veterinary Clinic.

Methuen’s K-9 Duke is ready for his close-up – and deservedly so. The bloodhound helped sniff out a suspect who attempted to rob a Tewksbury Market Basket in July and now Duke’s handler is telling WHAV just how his dog saved the day.

After the robbery attempt, Tewksbury officers called on Officer Matt Mueskes and Duke to trail the suspect. As Mueskes explains, his dog quickly exhibited a change in behavior – a surefire signal he’s on the right track.

“He kept looking off and up to the left side of where we were tracking, which is out towards Main Street. I kept looking over trying to see what he was looking at. I was trying to figure out what he was doing. As we came around the corner, we could see someone matching the suspect’s description walking down the street talking on their cell phone.”

Indeed, Duke’s nose knew and Tewksbury authorities later arrested Leonard M. Boutilier Jr. for unarmed robbery.

As Officer Mueskes explains, Methuen Police are fortunate to have a K-9 like Duke on the force. Credit is due, he tells WHAV, to Methuen Chief Joseph Solomon.

“Chief Solomon’s very dedicated to the cause and has made plenty of training and equipment available for us and allowed us the opportunity to have a K-9 unit, which is great. It’s great for the department and we’re able to help local communities who may not have dog available. We share resources and it goes both ways.”