Man charged for drugs, resisting arrest, striking K-9 officer

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A 22-year-old Lafayette man sits in the Tippecanoe County Jail this week after leading police on a foot chase and being taken down by a K-9 officer.

According to the Lafayette Police Department (LPD), at about 11:15 p.m. Tuesday, Tippecanoe County Drug Task Force detectives and LPD officers headed to Claystone at the Crossing apartments to locate Michael L. Neal, who was wanted on warrant for dealing heroin.

Detectives had been informed Neal was possibly in the vicinity of that complex. The warrant originated from a Tippecanoe County Drug Task Force investigation in which Neal sold heroin to an undercover detective on at least three occasions in late 2012.

While surveying the area, Neal was seen in the 500 block of Westchester Lane. Uniformed officers came up to him and tried to place him under arrest for the warrant. That’s when Neal ran away on foot and officers chased him.

Neal was caught briefly after by K-9 officer Tommy of LPD. This was Tommy’s second suspect apprehension in just a few days.

During the struggle with Tommy, Neal struck the dog several times attempting to escape. K-9 Tommy was uninjured during the altercation, but the same cannot be said of Neal. He was taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment of the dog bites he sustained.

After being treated Neal was released into the custody of the Tippecanoe County Jail and charged with the warrant for dealing heroin (a Class A felony), resisting law enforcement and striking a police K-9.

The investigation continues. If you have information about this case or any other criminal activity, contact LPD or the Tippecanoe County Drug Task Force at 765-807-1200, or report information anonymously through the WeTip hotline at 800-78-CRIME.