Thor. A name of legends. Also the name of a dog being credited with thwarting an armed robbery in Saco. Thor lived up to his heroic name when he jumped on, bit, and chased a would-be armed robber off. And Thor's owner, Justin Ireland, says he did all this in a matter of seconds.
Ireland works the afternoon and evening shift at Holly's Gas Station in Saco. He was there Monday afternoon when a man tried to rob the store. Ireland says, "Guy walked up to the door, asked if he could use my phone. I never let anyone in the building. So I said no, I don't have a phone you can use."
Ireland says that's when the man pulled the gun out, shoved him, and told him to give him the money. He says "As soon as he pushed me, that's when Thor jumped up at him." Thor is Justin's three year old Pit Bull-Boxer mix, who literally sprung into action.
Ireland says "As soon as the guy laid a hand on me and I started yelling, that's when he went right after him." The attempted robbery was caught on hidden surveillance video. Saco Deputy Police Chief Jeffrey Holland has seen the video, but not released it yet.
Deputy Chief Holland says "The dog jumped up and nipped at his hand initially. And then it appears in the video that he bit him on both sides of his face. He's never done anything like that before." Ireland says he has never trained Thor. He says this was pure instinct.
He told us "As soon as the dog went after him, they guy took off quicker than anything." Police say in any armed robbery, it's best to just hand over the money. Justin says he never got the chance. Chief Holland "It's very dangerous when you step in like that. In this case, it worked out for the gentleman."
Deputy Chief Holland says fortunately "Nothing bad happened. We're thankful for that." Ireland says he always wondered what Thor would do in the event of a robbery here at the gas station. Now he knows. He says "The boss likes him just because he looks like good security. And now I know he actually is."
Police are now looking for the robbery suspect. He is described as a white male, 5'-8", 180 pounds, who wore a navy blue gap hoodie and may have dog bites to his face. Ireland says the weapon looked like a BB gun. Police say he was seen driving away in a light blue, newer model, Chevy Silverado truck.
