A K-9 tracked down the scent of a missing 16-year-old girl who was dragged by her hair into the woods on Monday in the Twin Peaks area.
The girl was allegedly taken from her home around 3 a.m. by an 18-year-old man, later identified as her boyfriend, Logan Padberg, officials told KTLA. The incident was first reported happening on Tuesday, but a sheriff’s official later clarified it happened on Monday.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department began a search in the mountains and the K-9, Deja, and her handler arrived to assist, the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department stated in a Facebook post.
“I used a piece of her clothing that contained her scent and I gave it to Deja like I always do,” said Deputy Josh Stone. “I presented it to her and said, ‘check it.’ She smelled it and she knows who she wants to look for.”
Deputies noticed drag marks, which Deja followed through a wooded area to a house in the unincorporated Twin Peaks area, west of Lake Arrowhead.
“She was able to track the scent to 2600 block of Boulder Drive in Twin Peaks to a residence,” said Gil Flores of the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station. “Our deputies did a forced entry and located the two inside.”
The girl was released to her mother without incident.
Padberg was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, domestic violence and unlawful sex with a minor.
