Dogsey

A police dog hunted a suspected teenage thief for two miles before finding him hiding in a wheelie bin on a Wednesfield estate.

Ivan and his handler called to help after a scrambler bike was stolen from a garden in Goldthorn Park by youths.

Ivan followed the scent of two suspects towards Bilston, continuing over a bridge, behind Morrisons and towards Loxdale School.

The German shepherd, aged four, directed handler Pc Jonathan Wood to a garden in Greenway Road where a 15-year-old was hiding behind a gate and a 17-year-old found inside a rubbish bin.

A Kawasaki motorbike was later recovered from nearby woodland.

The 15-year-old, from Bilston, and the older suspect, from Dudley, were questioned over the bike theft and on suspicion of trying to break into numerous sheds and garages with a screwdriver.

Both have been released on police bail after the drama, which happened at around 2am yesterday.

Insp Russ Evans, dog unit manager, said: "It was an extended track by PC Wood and Ivan that took them through gardens, alleyways and along the canal tow path before the youths were located.

"It’s another great result and again emphasises the vital role police dogs play in protecting members of the public and their property."

PD Ivan made headline in May 2012 when as a ‘rookie’ he helped pin down an armed burglar who’d broken into Wolverhampton Business School.