Suspect bit by a K9 when hiding in a crawlspace after running away from an LAPD officer
By: ------
Los Angeles, CA - On January 8, 2026, at around 2:58 p.m., a Harbor Area uniformed officer was patrolling the area of Cary Avenue and East Opp Street when he observed the suspect, later identified as Christian Vasquez, conduct a vehicle code violation on his bicycle. When the officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Vasquez dropped his bicycle and fled on foot.
A foot pursuit ensued. During the foot pursuit, Vasquez removed a handgun from a crossbody bag and placed the handgun into his waistband. Vasquez then discarded the crossbody bag. The officer set up a perimeter, and Metropolitan (METRO) K9 officers were requested to respond and conduct a search.
Prior to conducting their search, several K9 announcements were made via a Public Address system, directing Vasquez to surrender. Vasquez failed to comply. A K9 search commenced, and the K9 located Vasquez in a crawl space under a residence, where a K9 bite occurred. Vasquez was taken into custody without further incident.
Vasquez sustained a wound to his right arm. Officers requested a rescue ambulance, which transported Vasquez to a local hospital, where he was treated and admitted for injuries he sustained related to the K9 bite.
Vasquez was later booked for 11378 H&S- Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales. The crossbody bag recovered at scene, which contained narcotics was booked as evidence.
No officers or other community members were injured as a result of this occurrence.