A high-risk arrest in Ava on September 22 led to the apprehension of Timothy Lee Caudill, a suspect with two active felony no-bond warrants, following a tense standoff and the deployment of a police K9 that resulted in injuries to both the suspect and a sheriff’s deputy.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Sgt. Gabe Stroud of the Ava Police Department, officers from Ava PD and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to an apartment at 809 Grand Ave #24 after receiving information about Caudill’s whereabouts. Caudill was wanted on warrants for failure to appear and other felony charges.
Upon arrival, officers attempted to make contact at the front door. A female occupant confirmed Caudill was inside. Officers entered the residence and located Caudill hiding in a closet in the rear bedroom. After repeated verbal commands to surrender were ignored, Sgt. Stroud deployed K9 Nitro to apprehend the suspect.
K9 Nitro bit Caudill’s foot, the only visible body part, allowing officers to begin extraction. During the attempt, Caudill resisted and retreated further into the closet. In the process, K9 Nitro mistakenly bit Sgt. Box of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office on the forearm due to poor lighting conditions. The dog released promptly upon command.
Both Caudill and Sgt. Box sustained injuries and were treated by medical personnel. Caudill later disclosed he was positive for Hepatitis C, prompting biohazard protocols for the injured deputy.
The female witness told officers that Caudill had forcibly restrained her from answering the door and hid in the closet as law enforcement arrived.
Caudill was transported to the Douglas County Jail and now faces multiple charges, including resisting arrest, assault on a law enforcement officer, and second-degree kidnapping.
