REDDING – Police were on the hunt for a parolee with a stack of warrants out on him, but had to use a police dog to finally track him down.
Last Friday, March 14, Redding Police had received a tip that the man they were looking for, Charles Jacob Steele, was at a home in Anderson, the town just south of Redding. The contacted Anderson Police for assistance in apprehending the 36-year-old man, who was wanted for violating parole, and had four felony warrants out on him. He was a suspect in four residential burglaries – one in he county, two in neighboring Tehama County, and another near Lake Tahoe in El Dorado County. The police units arrived at the home on Lassen Avenue, and verified that he was on the property, or should have been.
Steele was tracked to this location in Anderson
According to a Redding Police report, the officers sought Steele a the home but could not locate him. They brought in Redding PD K9 officer Schmidt and his partner Abel as a trump card to help in the game of hide-and-seek their suspect was playing. They announced to the general area that the dog was there are ready, but got no response.
Steele was no match for Abel, however, and the dog quickly located him hiding under the cover of a partially filled hot tub. The wet suspect tried to put up a struggle, but against the officers and the dog, he didn’t stand much of a chance. He was soon in custody and on his way to the Shasta Medical Center for a medical evaluation after suffering dog bites. (At least he knew Abel didn’t have rabies.)
He could hide from the police, but not from K9 Abel
Steele had a backpack at the arrest location, and it was found to contain stolen property from some of the burglaries. He had also parked a motorcycle in the driveway which had also been stolen. More property was found at a Redding residence that Steele was connected to. He has no official residence on record, however, and is listed as transient. He had been arrested in September of last year on a charge of failure to appear and another warrant.
Once he was cleared at the hospital, Steele was booked at the Shasta County Jail for his outstanding warrants and possession of stolen property, and for resisting arrest. His bail has been set at $531,200.00, so he will likely remain in custody until he faces charges and sentencing for his latest adventures.
