Above and Beyond: Officer Goodwin Braves Dumpster Dive to Retrieve Stolen Goods in Armed Robbery Case

In a powerful demonstration of commitment and courage, Officer Goodwin of the Bureau of Transit Police went above and beyond the call of duty—literally diving into a water-filled dumpster—to retrieve stolen property from a recent armed robbery. The case, which began as a Facebook Marketplace transaction turned violent, ended with the suspect in custody, multiple firearms seized, and a luxury watch recovered under the most unlikely of circumstances.

The incident unfolded when Officer Ullo and Officer Goodwin were assisting the Central County Precinct in locating a suspect connected to an armed robbery that occurred during an attempted Facebook Marketplace sale. The suspect had allegedly used a firearm to steal a valuable watch from the victim before fleeing the scene.

Thanks to swift investigative work, officers tracked the suspect and attempted a traffic stop. The suspect refused to comply, initiating a vehicle pursuit that ended in a crash. After abandoning the vehicle, the suspect fled on foot.

Enter Officer Keim and K9 Henk, who joined the pursuit. Using Henk’s tracking abilities, officers located the suspect hiding in a commercial dumpster. He was taken into custody without further incident.

Upon searching the suspect’s vehicle, police recovered two firearms believed to have been used in the robbery. However, the stolen watch remained missing—until officers learned it had likely been discarded during the foot chase.

Showing tremendous resolve, Officer Goodwin climbed into the same dumpster where the suspect had been hiding. Despite it being water-filled and filled with foul debris, Officer Goodwin conducted a thorough search. His efforts were rewarded when he located the stolen watch, now critical evidence in the case.

Following his arrest, the suspect confessed to the crime and now faces multiple felony charges, including armed robbery, fleeing and eluding, illegal possession of firearms, and tampering with evidence.

Akron Police officials applauded the coordinated teamwork and exceptional commitment displayed by Officers Ullo, Goodwin, Keim, and K9 Henk.

“This is a shining example of dedication to duty,” said a department spokesperson. “From a high-speed chase to a grimy dumpster dive, these officers refused to quit until justice was served. Officer Goodwin’s effort, in particular, shows the kind of grit and integrity that inspires us all.”

With the suspect behind bars and critical evidence recovered, the case marks not just a win for law enforcement—but a testament to the relentless drive of officers who go the extra mile—or dive—to protect their community.