Suspect hears Uhrichsville’s police dog, decides to give up
UHRICHSVILLE (WJER) (February 22, 2023) – A felon wanted for numerous parole violations and other offenses decided it was better to surrender than square off with the Uhrichsville Police Department’s K-9 following a standoff Feb. 15.
Officer Mike Hickman says 46-year-old Kevin Lillie had been hiding from police in an attic in a home on the city’s west side when he brought his partner Onyx, a 96-pound German shepherd, onto the scene.
“He heard Onyx and decided that it was in his best interest to come out of the attic unharmed.”
Uhrichsville and Dennison police, along with the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Department, had gone to the home to find Lillie, who was wanted on multiple felony warrants. Prosecutor Ryan Styer says most of the offenses are drug-related or for probation violations after previous felony convictions.
Officer Hickman says Lillie wasn’t armed, but officers didn’t know that.
“You don’t know if he has a gun or a knife or whatever. He’s basically barricaded himself in an attic with a very minimal access point. Obviously, sticking your head up in there is one of those huge safety issues that we often encounter. It’s easier to have a trained K-9 like Onyx to go in the attic and apprehend the suspect.”
Lillie was in the Tuscarawas County Jail waiting his next court dates.