VALDOSTA – A Valdosta Police Department K-9 officer nabbed a Valdosta Mall robbery suspect Monday morning.

At approximately 9:25 a.m., two employees of the American Eagle Outfitters were in the parking lot at the Valdosta Mall at 1700 Norman Drive. The two employees were on their way to take a store deposit to the bank when they were approached by an African American male who demanded money. The man was reportedly wearing a brown hooded sweatshirt with a bandanna around his face, according to VPD Lt. Kari Williams.

“The employees said the offender took the bank bag, their cellular phones and fled the scene on foot towards Baytree Road,” Williams said. “A witness in the parking lot observed the robbery and called 911.”

A VPD K-9 officer in the area reportedly spotted the offender fleeing towards Baytree Road holding a brown jacket. The officer caught up with the man while he was attempting to place his clothes into a dumpster at a nearby store.

“The K-9 officer drove up to the offender and gave verbal commands to stop. The offender fled and the officer gave chase,” Williams said. “When the K-9 officer caught up with the offender, he again gave the offender verbal commands to stop. The offender fled on foot once again, and the K-9 officer released his K-9, Roxy.”

The K-9 then caught up with the suspect and bit him on the leg. The man then tried to run while the dog was on his leg, Williams said.

“The offender ran off a six to eight foot wall into the parking lot below, with the K-9 attempting to detain the offender,” Williams said. “The offender began striking the K-9 in an attempt to escape. The K-9 officer was able to handcuff the offender and release the K-9.”

The bank bag and the victim’s cell phones were reportedly found on the suspect during a search.

Marin Pettiford, 24, was taken to South Georgia Medical Center for treatment and is expected to recover. Pettiford has been charged with three counts of robbery by sudden snatching and one count of misdemeanor obstruction of an officer, reports stated.

“Roxy was checked for injuries and will be fine,” Williams said.

“I am very proud of the assistance of the citizen who called 911 and the quick reaction of the K-9 Officer. In this case, the offender committed a forcible felony, he refused to obey the commands of the K-9 Officer, and as a result, he was bit by the police dog,” said VPD Chief Brian Childress.