Police dog sniffs out violent robber after he forgets hat in taxi

Police Dog Reno tracked down Gary Pearson using the scent of his woolly hat. (SWNS)
Police Dog Reno tracked down Gary Pearson using the scent of his woolly hat. (SWNS)

A robber who stabbed a taxi driver was caught after a police dog picked up his scent from his woolly hat.

Gary Pearson, 34, held a knife to a cab driver’s throat and demanded money after flagging him down in Melbourne Road, Stapleford, Nottinghamshire, in the early hours of 3 December last year.

The driver struggled but Pearson stabbed him in the ribs and cut his face.

He fled the scene but was sniffed out shortly afterwards by a police dog guided by the scent from a woolly hat he had left in the taxi.

Police Dog Reno led officers to the window of a nearby ground floor flat where Pearson was found hiding.

The driver was taken to hospital but was not seriously injured.

Read more: Westminster School investigating 'rape culture' claims made by female pupils

Gary Pearson flagged down a cab on Melbourne Road, Stapleford, Nottinghamshire. (Google Maps)
Gary Pearson flagged down a cab on Melbourne Road, Stapleford, Nottinghamshire. (Google Maps)

Read more: Trucker jailed for driving the wrong way down a motorway while rushing for ferry

Pearson, of Nottingham, admitted robbery, wounding with intent, possessing a bladed article and damaging property.

He was jailed for ten years at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday.

Detective Chief Inspector Kim Binns, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a brazen and frightening knife-point robbery that could easily have been a lot worse for the victim.

“Pearson posed as a typical customer as he climbed inside and sat in the back seat, even engaging in the kind of small talk that is typical of most taxi journeys.

“He then held a knife to his victim’s neck in an attempt to steal just a small amount of cash.

“For that cowardly, impulsive but ultimately futile act he will now spent a very considerable amount of time behind bars.

“Faced with the overwhelming evidence against him I am pleased that Pearson has accepted his guilt and hope he will use his time in prison to change the direction of his life.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the fantastic work at the scene by Police Dog Reno and his handler.

“Thanks to bit of quick-thinking and one very powerful nose we were quickly able to track down a violent and dangerous offender and bring him into custody.”