Enfield, Connecticut, August 25, 2025
News Summary
A suspected burglar hiding inside a Garden Street home in Enfield, Connecticut, was found and arrested after a police K-9 completed a building search. Officers first used aerial drones to sweep floors but could not locate the subject; K-9 Dunkin, a German shepherd, cleared multiple levels and located the suspect hiding under basement construction debris. The response highlighted the department’s recent purchase of a four-legged robotic unit, R3KO, added to its UAV program to inspect confined or obstructed indoor spaces where aerial drones have limitations. The robot provides live camera feeds, can carry small payloads and is operated by trained officers to enhance officer and public safety.
Enfield burglary ends with police K-9 apprehension as department adds four-legged robotic drone to its drone lineup
A suspected burglar hiding inside a Garden Street home in Enfield, Connecticut, was located and taken into custody after a police canine completed a building search. The response also highlighted why the department recently added a four-legged robotic drone, spelled R3KO and pronounced Rico, to its aerial unit.
What happened at the Garden Street residence
Officers were dispatched after a homeowner reported seeing a man forcing entry into the house and cameras captured a person inside. The call was treated as an active burglary and prompted the department’s Drone and K-9 Unit to establish and operate a perimeter while clearing the structure.
One drone pilot used an aerial drone to clear each floor but the pilot did not locate the suspect after sweeping several levels. A 3-year-old German shepherd named K-9 Dunkin then conducted a building search and cleared multiple floors. While officers prepared a basement search, they discovered a broken basement window and made repeated announcements requesting the suspect surrender. With no response, K-9 Dunkin entered the basement and located the suspect hiding under construction debris. The suspect was taken into custody without injuries to the subject or officers. Police did not release the suspect’s identity or charging information.
Why the robotic dog was added to the UAV program
The department has an active UAV and aerial drone program that has been used successfully for locating missing people, Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, and increasing officer safety. However, department personnel recognized limitations when aerial drones were used in certain indoor or building-entry scenarios. After a prior incident where drones could not safely put eyes on a potentially dangerous interior area and could have crashed into draperies or been unable to clear partially closed doors, the department reviewed its UAV budget and purchased a four-legged robotic unit to expand capabilities.
The robotic unit is spelled R3KO and pronounced Rico, a play on a familiar robot name. It was purchased with existing UAV program funds at a cost reported at roughly $4,700 to just shy of $4,800, an amount comparable to traditional aerial drones. The department described the purchase as an officer safety, subject safety, and public safety measure rather than a novelty.
What the robotic dog can do
- Mobility: walk, sprint, sit, jump, navigate stairs, pass through doorways, get through partially closed doors and curtains, and even walk briefly on two legs or perform a handstand.
- Sensors and vision: a mounted camera in a small head provides visuals and situational awareness; unlike a real dog, wires and metal are visible near that camera appendage.
- Payload: can carry a small item such as a cell phone to establish communication with a barricaded person or hostage subject.
- Control: operated by trained officers as part of the department’s response tools.
- Use cases: intended to reach and inspect areas where aerial drones cannot safely operate, reduce the need for officers to enter risky interior spaces, and provide eyes on potentially dangerous situations.
How R3KO performed in the Garden Street response
The robotic dog was in the department’s inventory for about a week at the time of the burglary and had already been deployed to check areas that aerial drones could not safely reach. In the Garden Street home, R3KO helped assure officers that certain areas were clear but did not locate the suspect who was hiding under basement debris. The subsequent deployment of a trained, living K-9 located and apprehended the suspect without injury.
Other recent K-9 work
The department’s K-9 team has been used in other recent patrol matters. In a June 11 response, the canine tracked a vehicle through a shopping area and alerted officers to a person hiding in a business restroom; that person was then arrested. The K-9 work demonstrates how living dogs remain a key tool alongside new robotic systems.
Why the department invested in the robot
After a review of past responses and a focused look at officer and public safety needs, the department decided the four-legged robot was the next step to overcome some traditional obstacles faced by aerial drones. The engineering and design intentionally mimic a dog’s shape to create familiarity and to make the unit effective in confined, cluttered, or partially obstructed indoor spaces.
Next steps for the program
The robotic dog joins the UAV and drone lineup as a life-safety tool. The department continues to train officers in its operation and to evaluate deployments where the robot can reduce risk and provide improved visual information before officers enter confined or dangerous areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Garden Street home?
Officers responded to an active burglary report, used drones to clear floors, then deployed a K-9 that found a hidden suspect in the basement under construction debris. The suspect was taken into custody without injuries.
What is R3KO and why is it called Rico?
R3KO is a four-legged robotic unit added to the department’s UAV lineup. The name is spelled R3KO and pronounced Rico, a play on a well-known robot name.
How much did the robotic dog cost and how was it paid for?
The unit cost was reported at roughly $4,700 to just under $4,800 and was purchased using existing UAV/drone program funds.
Can the robotic dog replace a living K-9?
No. The robotic dog is a complementary tool intended to provide visual access to risky or confined spaces; living K-9s continue to be used for searches, tracking, and physical apprehension when necessary.
What capabilities does the robotic dog have?
It can walk, sprint, sit, jump, climb stairs, pass through doorways, get through partially closed doors and curtains, carry a small payload such as a phone, and provide live camera feeds to officers.
Who controls the robot and how is it deployed?
Trained officers operate the unit. It is deployed to inspect areas unsafe or inaccessible for aerial drones and to increase situational awareness ahead of officer entry.
Was anyone hurt in the Garden Street incident?
No injuries to officers or the suspect were reported following the K-9 apprehension.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident | Active burglary on Garden Street; suspect found hiding under basement construction debris and apprehended by a K-9 without injuries. |
| K-9 Dunkin | 3-year-old German shepherd used in building search; cleared multiple floors and located suspect in basement. |
| Robotic dog (R3KO/Rico) | Four-legged unit added to UAV lineup; pronounced Rico, spelled R3KO; designed to reach areas aerial drones cannot. |
| Capabilities | Walk, sprint, sit, jump, navigate stairs, pass through doorways/curtains, carry small payloads, provide camera visuals. |
| Cost & funding | Reported at roughly $4,700 to just under $4,800; purchased using existing UAV/drone program funds. |
| Use so far | Operational about a week at time of report; used in a burglary response to clear areas but did not locate the suspect who was later found by a living K-9. |
| Program goal | Enhance officer safety, subject safety, and public safety by providing visual access to risky or inaccessible interior spaces. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- FOX61: Enfield police purchase robot K-9 unit
- Wikipedia: Quadruped robot
- CT Insider / Journal Inquirer: Enfield drone dog/robot police
- Google Search: Enfield R3KO robotic dog
- Patch: Enfield police dog locates burglary suspect
- Google Scholar: police K-9 building search
- WWLP: Enfield police use drone and K-9 to capture burglary suspect
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: police dog
- WFSB: K9 Dunkin helps track down fleeing suspect near Enfield Commons
- Google News: Enfield K-9 Dunkin
Author: Construction FL News
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