Joliet police were forced to order a K9-unit dog to bite a man who would not retreat from an attic crawl space, Cmdr. Brian Benton said Tuesday.

Police were attempting to locate Nicholas Matthew Raman, 25, wanted on an arrest warrant from an October bar fight, when they received a tip that he might be found at a house at 1204 John St., Benton said. The home's owner gave officers permission to search the residence and the dog ferreted out Raman's hiding spot, Benton said.

Raman, however, refused to comply with police demands that he come out. Because officers could not be certain he did not have a weapon, they had no choice but to use the dog to scare the suspect into giving himself up, Benton said.

The bite inflicted by the dog caused a minor injury for which Raman was treated, he said.

The warrant for Raman's arrest dates back to a 2012 incident that occurred at a bar in the 2000 block of West Jefferson Street. Raman was allegedly arguing with a woman when another bar patron intervened on her behalf, Benton said.

When Raman saw the patron outside the business later, he punched the man and then left, he said. Because it was an "unprovoked attack," Raman was charged with aggravated battery and a warrant was issued for his arrest, he said.

It was not Raman's first arrest. According to Will County jail records, which are incomplete, he was arrested for driving under the influence and driving while his license was revoked/suspended in 2011 and for aiding/abetting/possessing/selling a stolen vehicle in 2008.

Raman is currently being held in the county jail in lieu of $40,000 bond.

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