VIRGINIA BEACH — For one Virginia Beach dog, sniffing out crime is just another day on the job.
Meet Sadie, the Virginia Beach Fire Department’s accelerant-sniffing canine.
Last year, Sadie was asked to leave her post in Virginia Beach to help federal authorities crack an arson case in the U.S. Virgin Islands where three federal buildings, including a military recruitment center and U.S. courthouse, were set ablaze, according to the VBFD.
Sadie and her handler, VBFD Investigator Alana Cooper, flew down to St. Thomas and visited the fire scenes. Sadie sniffed out ignitable liquids at the scenes, which helped federal investigators determine that the fires were set on purpose, according to the VBFD.
Evidence found by Sadie was used in the investigation, which led to the arrest of Spencer Wayne Allen. The 26-year-old Texan pleaded guilty to arson and two counts of destroying federal property last week and could face up to 60 years in prison.
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