K9 tracks down and bites a domestic violence suspect who was hiding inside a cactus farm
By: -----
Reseda, CA - On July 31, 2026, at around 3:45 a.m., uniformed patrol officers assigned to West Valley Division responded to a radio call of a domestic violence/restraining order violation in the 19000 block of Cohasset Street. The comments of the call identified the suspect as 39-year-old Santos Fonsecca and provided a physical description. While responding to the location, officers observed a male matching the suspect’s description in the area.
The suspect, who was later positively identified as Fonsecca, immediately fled on foot. Officers requested additional resources and established a perimeter. After the perimeter was in place, West Valley officers requested the assistance of Metropolitan Division K9 personnel. Prior to conducting the search, multiple K9 announcements were broadcast over a public address system, directing Fonsecca to surrender. Fonsecca failed to comply, and a systematic search was initiated.
Fonsecca was subsequently located in the 19400 block Saticoy Street, where a K9 contact occurred. During the apprehension, Fonsecca sustained a K9 bite to his right forearm and was taken into custody without further incident. Fonsecca was treated at the scene by Los Angeles Fire Department personnel and was then transported to a nearby hospital, where he received medical treatment and was cleared for booking. Fonsecca was subsequently booked at an LAPD jail facility.
Later that same day, on July 31, 2026, at around 11:40 p.m., Jail personnel contacted West Valley Division and requested that Fonsecca be transported to a contract hospital due to swelling in his right forearm. Fonsecca was transported to the hospital where he was evaluated and subsequently admitted for treatment of the injury to his right forearm.
No officers or other community members were injured as a result of this incident.