Photo: Araya Smith and K-9 Duke
Originally published as a Redding Police Department Facebook post –
“On April 30, 2022, at around 2316 hours, Redding Police Officers responded to the 5700 block of Glory Street, for the report of a female creating a disturbance, trying to gain access into a residence, and refusing to leave. The homeowner identified the female subject as 28-year-old, Araya Smith, of Redding.
While en route to the scene, officers learned that Smith is currently on California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Parole for Assault with a Deadly Weapon and she has a prior history of brandishing a weapon. As officers arrived on the scene, Smith was located on the front porch of the reporting party’s residence but fled on foot upon seeing law enforcement.
Officers gave chase but were not initially able to locate Smith. Redding Police K-9 Duke responded to the area and assisted officers with searching for Smith. A short time later, K-9 Duke located Smith hiding in a field amongst the shrubbery. Smith was armed with a pickaxe and refused to comply with officers’ commands to surrender. K-9 Duke successfully apprehended Smith, allowing officers to safely detain her. During the apprehension, Smith grabbed and punched K-9 Duke’s head; however, this did not deter his efforts and he was not injured by Smith’s attack.
Smith was medically treated and booked into the Shasta County Jail for charges related to, Attempted Burglary, Trespassing, Public Intoxication, Resisting Arrest, Willful Interference with a Police K-9, and Violation of Parole.”
