By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR – The arrest of a suspected car thief may result in a complaint filed against the Taylor Police Department involving a police dog that allegedly bit the suspect’s mother.
About 1 a.m. Wednesday, police reportedly arrived at a house on Weddel Street to arrest 22-year-old Michael Bieringer, suspected of auto theft. The police tracked Bieringer to Weddel with the assistance of a K-9.
Two versions of what happened next were reported.
Police said that Bieringer’s mother refused the officers entry to the house, and while forcing their way in the German shepherd lunged at the woman.
The 63-year-old said that she was trying to open the door, but police barged in before she could get there and dragged her outside. During the confrontation, the K-9 bit her on the side of her torso. She was issued a citation for obstructing justice and taken to a hospital for treatment.
Bieringer was arraigned Thursday in 23rd District Court before Judge William Sutherland on charges of larceny from a motor vehicle and unlawful driving away of an automobile, a felony punishable by five years in prison. A preliminary examination of the evidence against him is scheduled for July 6, and as of Friday. Bieringer remained in custody, held on a $100,000 bond payable with 10 percent cash.
Bieringer may be further charged with violation of parole conditions established for previous convictions.
Taylor police declined to comment for this article.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected])