A FLEEING SUSPECT was caught by a Garden Grove K-9 unit early Monday morning.

A chase that started in north Garden Grove early Monday morning ended with a K-9 unit apprehending the fleeing suspect.

According to Sgt. Charlie Loffler of the GGPD, the incident began at 2:17 a.m. when officers were pursuing a felony-evading suspect. The chase started in the area of Euclid Street and Katella Avenue.

Spike strips blew the tires but the suspect – identified as Juan Mercado, 29, of National City – continued to drive along, evading the officers. The pursuit continued east on Katella until the suspect vehicle crashed through the front gate of Irvine Regional Park in the area of Santiago Canyon Road and Jamboree Road.

With his automobile disabled, the suspect fled on foot but a GGPD K-9 officer “deployed” his dog, who caught the man. Mercado was arrested and taken to a local hospital where he was treated for injuries from a dog bite.