Dog stolen from SPCA
Monterey, CA (US)Incident Date: Monday, Dec 24, 2007
County: Monterey
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Jamie Langoria
A six-pound Chihuahua stolen Christmas Eve from a Monterey County animal shelter is safe and sound, thanks to an anonymous Good Samaritan.
Officials at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Monterey County received a call about 3:30 p.m. Monday from someone claiming to have the 3-month-old puppy, Tiny Tim, said SPCA executive director Gary Tiscornia.
Tiscornia said that because the tipster could identify the dog's specific physical traits, SPCA operations director Lisa Hoefler went to meet the caller at an undisclosed Salinas gas station to pick up the dog.
Tiny Tim was found in good shape, although "real tired," Hoefler said.
"This is a very happy New Year's for us," Tiscornia said.
He declined to comment on the person's identity or how the dog came into his or her possession. The anonymous caller is cooperating with investigators, Hoefler said.
On Dec. 24, a man and a woman stole Tiny Tim from his SPCA kennel. Investigators say the pair asked staff about the dog, but when told he was already adopted, attempted to hide the pooch in the woman's purse, then snuck out with him under the man's jacket. Video surveillance footage show them likely communicating by cell phone on the way out as they watch for SPCA staff.
Monterey County sheriff's officials identified Jamie Langoria as a suspect in the case and arrested her Dec. 27 at her home in the Prunedale area. Langoria was booked into Monterey County Jail on suspicion of burglary and is being held there without bail. The man who police suspect of helping her is still at large with a warrant for his arrest.
Tiscornia said the dog still needs to be neutered this week before his adopting owner, Natalie Miller of Monterey, can pick him up.
"My Christmas was kind of taken away, but this made my New Year's even more great," Miller said.
After the theft of her dog, she said, she she left early for Chicago, where she is attending school. Her mother, who lives in Monterey, will pick up Tiny Tim and keep him until Miller returns later this spring.
Tiny Tim came to the SPCA on Dec. 4 and was adopted by Miller a few days before Christmas.
Anyone with information about the possible whereabouts of a man suspected of stealing a puppy from the SPCA of Monterey County is asked to contact the Monterey County Sheriff's Office at 755-3752 or the SPCA of Monterey County at 373-2631. The SPCA is offering a $1,000 reward in the case. References« CA State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Monterey County, CA
|
