Scent Evidence K9 Becka assists the Cornelia Police in cases

Cpl. Josh Pressley and his partner K9 Becka helped Cornelia Police search for two people over the weekend.

K9 Becka is a former member of the Georgia Bloodhound Team and works alongside Scent Evidence K9 Master Handler Pressley of the Banks County Sheriff’s Office. Together they have recovered many missing persons and evidence for Banks County and surrounding departments.

Major Mars Teller of the Cornelia Police Department said, “K9 Becka is invaluable. We are grateful for the willingness of the Banks County Sheriff to help.”

Burglaries were reported at ABC Foods at Veteran Memorial on June 30 and July 12. Teller said CPD investigators believe the same person is involved in those incidents. One person smashed the glass door of the grocery store, took several items and fled on foot. K9 Becka tracked the trail to a nearby apartment complex about a quarter mile away, where officers searched the area. Teller could not provide specifics on the evidence Becka found, but said the bloodhound definitely helped the investigation move forward.

Additionally, on July 12, K9 Becka and Cpl. Pressley assisted the Cornelia Police Department in locating a critically injured individual who had suffered a mental breakdown. The incident occurred at approximately 1:40 a.m. Officers had searched the area but were unable to locate the individual as he was bleeding and in need of medical attention. The area was heavily overgrown and difficult to search. K9 Becka picked up the trail and quickly located the individual, who was in and out of consciousness. Officers were able to provide aid until emergency medical services arrived.

“We are fortunate to have the benefit of K9 Becka’s expertise and assistance, as well as that of Cpl. Pressley,” Teller added. “The injured individual may have had a different outcome if it weren’t for Becka’s keen senses.”