Motorcycle theft suspect surrenders in Oildale after sheriff's canine bites him
By THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN
A sheriff's canine helped apprehend a suspected motorcycle thief in Oildale Friday.
The suspect, 20-year-old Bakersfield resident Stephan Matthew Vantassel, had fled when a county sheriff's deputy attempted to contact him at 5 p.m., according to a department news release issued Saturday.
The deputy chased and caught him in the 700 block of Woodrow Avenue, whereupon Vantassel fought, broke free and ran from the deputy, the release states.
Vantassel was later found hiding nearby in an unsecured garage, the owner of which did not know the suspect or give him permission to stay there, according to the release.
When he refused to surrender, the sheriff's department brought in a canine that promptly bit Vantassel in the arm, prompting the suspect's surrender without further incident, the release says.
Vantassel was treated for the dog bite and booked on suspicion of a parole violation, possession of a stolen vehicle and resisting or obstructing a peace officer. He was being held on $15,000 bail.
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