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Man Arrested After Car Chase; K-9 Hurt

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TBO.com staff report

Published: October 6, 2007

CLEARWATER - Police arrested a driver this Saturday morning after he was spotted racing, spun out on a rain slick roadway, drove into a police cruiser and crashed into a tree during a chase.

Zachary Joerin, 21, fled on foot and was arrested shortly after on charges including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

A police dog was injured when a K-9 cruiser also crashed during the chase.

The incident began about 4 a.m. at Drew Street and Park Place Drive when an officer on patrol saw Joerin racing with another car, police said. The officer and a K-9 unit went to make a traffic stop and Joerin's car spun out of control.

He recovered from the spin, police said, and drove at one of the officers, hitting a police cruiser. Both officers pursued him and he crashed into a tree at 2812 Edenwood Street.

The K-9 unit also crashed on Fairwood Ave.

Joerin fled on foot, police said. Largo police K-9 units tracked him, locating him within minutes, police said.

One police cruiser was substantially damaged. Another cruiser had minor damages. The dog, named Reno, received undetermined injuries, police said, but no one else was hurt.

In addition to aggravated battery, Joerin faces charges including fleeing a law enforcement officer, DUI involving property damage, racing on a highway, and two counts of resisting arrest with violence.

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