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Boise Police K-9 credited with taking down knife-wielding drunk driver

24-year-old Eric Prince faces multiple felony charges after police say he was involved in multiple crashes, threatened a witness, then advanced on officers with a boxcutter.
Boise Police K-9 Rosco

BOISE - A Boise police K-9 is being credited with helping officers subdue a knife-wielding drunk driver who was involved in two crashes and threatened a witness, police said.

24-year-old Eric Prince faces multiple felony charges connected to the incident which occurred Monday afternoon near Broadway Avenue and Interstate 84.

According to Boise Police, officers were initially called at about 2 p.m. to the area of Commerce Avenue and Enterprise Street for a report of a two-vehicle crash.

Witnesses told police the driver of one of the vehicles drove away from the scene, but stopped when he crashed into a building on the 1400 block of Commerce Avenue. When a witness attempted to talk to the driver, identified as Prince, he made threatening statements to the witness, police said.

Eric Prince

Officers who arrived on scene say Prince was standing next to his car holding what appeared to be a knife in his hands. Prince reportedly refused commands to drop the knife and get on the ground. Police say he eventually dropped the weapon, which was later found to be a boxcutter, but picked it back up and began to advance on officers.

That's when officers sent in police K-9 "Rosco," who took the suspect down, forcing him to drop the boxcutter, and allowing officers to take him into custody.

"The quick actions of K9 'Rosco' and his handler brought what was a dangerous, fast-moving situation to a safe conclusion. Which is what we are always hoping for," Lt. Mark Barnett said in a statement.

Boise Police K-9 Rosco

Prince was taken to a hospital to be treated for minor injuries. Police say his blood-alcohol content tested at .299/.282 - more than three times the legal limit.

Prince faces a long list of charges, including four felony counts of aggravated assault, and misdemeanor charges of excessive DUI and resisting arrest. He was due to make his first court appearance on Tuesday.

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