Probationer arrested after Wake Forest K-9 hurt in search

Authorities have arrested a probation absconder who was wanted after a Wake Forest police K-9 was run over during a search for him.

Marcus Antwan Richardson, 21, of 1405 Old Knight Road in Knightdale, was arrested during a traffic stop in Zebulon Friday afternoon.

Richardson was charged with felony assault on a police animal, resisting a public officer and second-degree trespassing. He was also served with outstanding warrants for a probation violation and charges of misdemeanor larceny, second-degree trespassing, failure to appear in court and two counts of resisting a public officer.

He was placed in the Wake County jail under a $332,000 bond. His first court appearance was set for Monday.

Police said that Richardson fled from officers trying to serve him with outstanding warrants Thursday. A K-9 handler released his dog, Maverick, to search for Richardson, and another officer coming to help struck the dog.

The Belgian Malinois had emergency surgery at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and was in critical but stable condition.

Police said that Richardson can be held responsible for the dog's injury because the animal was being used in a search for him after he had fled police.

Richardson is on probation for a misdemeanor larceny conviction last September, according to state Department of Correction records. He also has previous convictions for felony drug possession, speeding to elude arrest and resisting an officer.