CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A man who police caught in the process of burglarizing a Clearlake home was taken into custody on Wednesday with the help of a Clearlake Police K9.

Steven Michael Fuller, 28, a Clearlake transient, was arrested late Wednesday after K9 “Dex” apprehended him, according to a report from Sgt. Rodd Joseph of the Clearlake Police Department.

Despite getting kicked in the face several times by Fuller, Dex was uninjured, Joseph said.

Just before 10:30 p.m. Wednesday Clearlake Police officers responded to the 3700 block of Yolo Alley on a report of a possible residential burglary in progress, according to Joseph.

The owner of the property, who was out of the area at the time, called the Clearlake Police Department to report a possible burglary to the owner’s residence by a known family member. Joseph said the property owner had received information from a neighboring resident about the possible burglary.

When officers arrived at the owner’s address, officers looked through exterior windows and observed a male subject inside the kitchen area of the home placing property into a black trash bag, Joseph said.

When the subject spotted officers outside the home, the subject made a “peace” sign with his hand and yelled at officers he was just getting some food. Joseph said the subject then walked over and turned out the lights and disappeared to an unknown location inside the home. 

Joseph said the subject refused to come out and speak with officers, who established a secured perimeter around the residence.

Officers on scene obtained permission from the property owner to force entry into the home, with Joseph reporting that K9 Officer Travis Lenz and his K9 partner Dex were the first officers into the residence. 

Lenz made numerous announcements for the subject to surrender or his K9 would be deployed, Joseph said. After approximately five announcements with no response from the subject, Dex was released into the home with a search command to find the subject.

After a short period of time, Dex located the subject, identified as Fuller, hiding inside an interior closet, Joseph said.

Joseph said Dex apprehended Fuller by the right lower leg and Fuller then began kicking Dex in the face with his left foot.

After a brief struggle involving several officers, Fuller was ultimately taken into custody. Joseph said none of the officers nor Dex were injured in the apprehension.

Fuller was transported to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake for medical treatment and then booked into the Lake County Jail, Joseph said.

Fuller was charged with residential burglary, resisting arrest and assaulting a police K9, according to Joseph.