Alaska: Police dog nabs drunken driver who struck officer, patrol car & house

An Anchorage police dog is being commended for catching a felony drunken driver whose vehicle hit a police officer, a patrol car and a house in his effort to escape officials early Wednesday in the Abbott Loop area, police say.

A witness told police around 2 a.m. that 33-year-old John Robert Fuller appeared to be passed out in an idling car for over an hour in the cul-de-sac of Moose Run Circle.

"Prior to getting into the vehicle, the concerned citizen observed the driver stumbling and stated that he appeared to be impaired," police wrote.

When police arrived, they found a gray pick up truck with the lights on and engine running. Police saw Fuller asleep in the vehicle with the doors locked.

Police knocked on the window and woke him up. Initially Fuller refused to provide any information to authorities and later gave police a false name. When officers informed him that he was going to be investigated for possibly driving under the influence, Fuller began driving away, despite police commands for him to stop.

"In the process of leaving the scene, the driver struck a police officer that was on foot, with his vehicle," police wrote. "The driver also struck another patrol vehicle that was parked behind his."

The police officer was later treated for a minor injury to his leg.

Officials tried to pin Fuller's truck in the cul-de-sac of Ladasa Place during the pursuit but he proceeded to push out of the pin. Police say Fuller then "drove across the front yard of a residence, which also included striking a home with his vehicle as he drove by."

Fuller then stopped his car and ran on foot, officials say.

A perimeter was set up and a police dog named Aerie tracked Fuller to the woods near Candywine Circle, where Fuller was found by police. Police tried to command Fuller to come out of the woods but when he failed to comply, K9 Aerie went after him, police said.

Investigations revealed that Fuller had outstanding felony and misdemeanor warrants, three prior DUI convictions and a revoked license.

Fuller was charged with making a false report, driving with a revoked license, third-degree assault, first-degree felony eluding, resisting or interfering with arrest, fourth-degree criminal mischief, two counts of third-degree criminal mischief and five counts of reckless endangerment.