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Last updated on Monday, October 13, 2014
(PAOLI) - An Indiana State Police K-9 was used to apprehend a burglary suspect south of Paoli and in the process probably saved his life.
At approximately 5 p.m. Saturday, a deputy with the Orange County Sheriff's Department was patrolling County Road 250 East in Paoli and witnessed a possible burglary in progress at a home at 6226 South County Road 250 East.
When he arrived he placed 35-year-old Angel Sue Smith of Mitchell under arrest.
47-year-old Mark Lee VanDyke of Mitchell had barricaded himself within the crawlspace of the home.
Around 6:14 p.m. Trooper Robert Lambert and his K9 "Diesel", who were off-duty at the time, responded to the scene to assist.
Numerous attempts were made to contact VanDyke utilizing the public address system in their police cars but VanDyke would not comply with request to surrender.
At 7:20 p.m., officers decided to send Diesel into the crawlspace.
Diesel located VanDyke hiding inside an air conditioning ductwork, and bit VanDyke.
VanDyke agreed to come out of the crawlspace; however, was stuck inside the duct.
In an effort that took nearly an hour, Trooper Lambert and Orange County Deputies pulled approximately 30 feet of the duct from the crawlspace, and subsequently cut away the duct to remove VanDyke.
VanDyke was found to be in a near hypothermic state due to the cold, wet conditions he was in, and had nearly suffocated while positioned inside the venting.
Officers believe that were it not for Diesel locating VanDyke, a more grave outcome could have been possible.
VanDyke was arrested and transported to IU Health of Paoli. After being medically cleared around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, he was taken to the Orange County Jail.
Smith was also booked into the jail.
VanDyke and Smith are both facing felony charges of theft, residential entry, criminal mischief.
VanDyke is also facing an additional charge of resisting law enforcement.
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