By Kathleen Sweeney
Times-Union staff writer

The man arrested for shooting a Jacksonville police officer and killing his K-9 Wednesday night had been released earlier that day while posing as another inmate.

Police said Gary Lee Neil, 22, bribed another Duval County inmate with candy to switch their plastic identification wrist bands so Neil could be released under the inmate's name.

It wasn't until Neil was being treated at University Medical Center for a dog bite that a correctional officer recognized him as a man arrested in January on robbery and attempted murder charges.

Jail officials said Neil had been posing for several days as Toriano L. Alexander, 25, who was serving 10 days on a trespassing charge.

''Obviously, we had a conspiracy between two inmates for one of them to escape and unfortunately they were able to pull this off,'' said Wyllie Hodges, chief of the Pretrial Detention Facility. ''How that took place, I'm not certain at this point. There's obviously been some problems. . . . It is under investigation.''

Neil is charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, killing a police dog, armed robbery and escape. Alexander is charged with aiding an escape.

Police said Neil's release led to a string of crimes, including the robberies of three Hardee's restaurants and the shooting of officer James J. Thurne, 41, and his dog, Quanto.

The 21-year police veteran, who has had a K-9 officer for two years, was in fair condition yesterday at University after losing part of his right index finger. He's expected to be released today.

Quanto, a 4-year-old German shepherd, had been working with police since 1997. Officials said burial arrangements will be made by Thurne.

''He's extremely upset over the incident,'' said homicide Lt. Mark Foxworth. ''Not only has he lost a very close companion but he came very close to losing his life and had to fight very hard to keep his life.''

Officials aren't sure what procedures weren't followed Wednesday that led to the release of the wrong inmate. Policy said an inmate must match a picture, have their identification band checked and answer personal questions correctly.

''Apparently there was a breakdown there,'' Hodges said.

The chief said Neil and Alexander switched bands sometime between June 10 and Saturday. No one is sure how they switched the plastic bands, which either have to be cut off or the rivets removed.

On Saturday, Neil was transferred to the Montgomery Correctional Center to finish serving Alexander's sentence. He was brought back to the Duval County jail to be released.

Hodges said he's not aware of other inmates switching identification bands but suspects it's happened.

''That's another thing we are looking at - how this happened and how to prevent this from happening in the future,'' he said. ''It's an unfortunate incident and I'm certainly embarrassed about it.''

Hodges wouldn't discuss whether any employees will face disciplinary measures.

While jail officials are reviewing policies and new technology that would read fingerprints, police are still looking for another man who was involved in the robberies that began about 8 p.m.

Thurne was investigating robberies at two Hardee's restaurants about 8:30 p.m. when he pulled into the Hardee's at 6080 Commonwealth Ave. and saw two men run from the business.

The officer followed their car on Commonwealth Avenue and saw the driver run a red light at Lane Avenue North. The passenger jump out.

Thurne called for backup but dispatchers asked him to hold. He couldn't because he saw the suspect dash from the car with a gun and bag in his hand. When the suspect refused to stop, Thurne released Quanto.

The German shepherd caught the suspect and bit his leg but let go. Quanto caught him a second time as Thurne tried to take control. The suspect overpowered the officer and pulled his handgun from his holster.

The officer and suspect struggled for the gun when the suspect fired once, hitting the officer in the hand and striking Quanto. Thurne continued to fight as the man bit, kicked and hit the officer. The suspect became tired and fled.

Police found the suspect about an hour later hiding in a garage on Lane Circle South.

''The officer had no idea that he was coming up against someone who had just escaped from jail and was being held on other armed robbery charges,'' Foxworth said. ''It goes to prove how dangerous any stop can be, and in this particular situation the suspect was ready to fight to the death to keep his freedom.''

The other robber was last seen driving a dark blue older model Chevrolet with a spotlight north on Lane Avenue North. Police said the first two letters on the tag are WS.

Neil is back in jail, where he was awaiting trial in the January robbery at a Burger King restaurant on San Pablo Road.

(Story appeared Thursday, June 17, 1999 - The Florida Times-Union)