A robbery investigation turned tragic in Camden County Tuesday night as a police K-9 was killed in the line of duty.
"It's a loss for the police department," said Gloucester Township Police Chief Harry Earle. "Our K-9 officers and our K-9s themselves have been dedicated members to our department and they have served all the men and women of Gloucester Township Police Department very well."
Just after 7, Gloucester Township Police responded to a robbery at the Lucky Dragon Chinese Restaurant on the 400 block of E Church Street in Blackwood, N.J. Two men had allegedly robbed the restaurant and fled on foot, police said.
The officer and his K-9 partner arrived at the scene and were pursuing the suspects when one of the men allegedly threw the dog into traffic, police said.
The suspects then continued to flee as the dog was left for dead.
The K-9 and his partner weren’t immediately identified.
Police continued searching for the robbery suspects around Highland Regional High School located on Blackwood-Clementon road near Route 42.
No major injuries were reported to people.
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