TUCSON, Ariz. — A bank robbery suspect who stabbed a police K9 last May was sentenced Thursday.
According to Arizona Superior Court, Frank Keanu Garcia, 19, will serve 18 years for armed robbery and interference with a working service animal.
Police say Garcia had been on the run for days and was considered armed and dangerous following a bank robbery. After learning he was hiding in a neighborhood near Swan and Pima, Blitz went after the suspect.
“I lost sight of Blitz around a corner of a trailer I could see he was being punched, but I couldn't see what I learned later on, which was once we apprehended him there was a knife on the ground,” said Officer Mike Doyle.
Doyle says Blitz held Garcia down despite bleeding from the neck. Once he pulled his friend off they got him help.
Blitz was able to return to work within a couple weeks after being checked over by a veterinarian.
Sentencing today for today for the Bank Robbery suspect who stabbed #K9Blitz in the neck. Frank Keanu Garcia was sentenced to 18 years in prison for Robbery and Animal Cruelty charges. Special thanks to the @PimaCountyAtty, @TPD_Robbery, & SWAT for their work on this case. pic.twitter.com/diCaqJxEYP
— Tucson Police K9 (@tucsonpolicek9) April 23, 2020
