Cedar Rapids K-9 apprehends burglary suspect

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Cedar Rapids K-9 took a bite out of crime - and a burglary suspect - Thursday night.

According to public safety spokesman Greg Buelow, Cedar Rapids police officers were called to Reutzel Pharmacy, 617 Eighth Ave. SE, at 7:08 p.m. when the owners discovered one of their pharmacy's vans had been broken into and crashed through the garage door of the business. Another pharmacy van had also been broken into and the van that had been crashed into the pharmacy - which was closed - was still running, Buelow said.

Officers arrived on the scene and secured the area. Believing the suspect was still inside the pharmacy, a K-9 was called to the pharmacy and let into the building. The K-9 found and apprehended the suspect, 36-year-old Nicholas Hostak.

Hostak was taken via ambulance to an area hospital where he received medical treatment for a canine bite. Upon his release from the hospital, he was arrested on three counts of third-degree burglary for breaking into the pharmacy and the two vans. He also faces one count of driving while revoked.

Buelow said the incident demonstrated the usefulness of a K-9 when police respond to a situation when someone is in a building and it is unknown whether they are armed and dangerous.

'It certainly highlights the value of a police K-9,” he said.

Hostak has prior convictions for third-degree burglary, drunken driving and intoxication.