http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_8418408
Dognapped terrier returned to owners
Union City man arrested in stealing Yorkie from car, police say
By Matthew Artz, STAFF WRITER
Article Created: 03/01/2008 02:32:47 AM PST
UNION CITY — Some good police work helped a Union City couple get back the dog that officers say a parolee swiped from their locked car.
The victims had left the pure-bred Yorkshire terrier in their car with the windows slightly opened Wednesday evening while they shopped at a Wal-Mart store in Union Landing, Lt. Ben Horner said.
When they returned to their car, the dog was gone.
"They were totally emotional over the loss of this dog," Horner said.
The next day, Officer Andrew Holt, who was reviewing Wal-Mart's surveillance videotapes, spotted a man loitering in the area of the victims' car, Horner said. The same person, identified by his tattoos, was also taped inside the store, attempting to hide his face from the security cameras, Horner said.
Holt recognized the man as a parolee, but couldn't recall his name, the lieutenant said. So the officer contacted a parole agent who also viewed the tapes and identified the man as Richard Santillanez, 48, of Union City.
Officers then went to Santillanez's Sixth Street residence and found the dog, Baby, unhurt inside, Horner said.
Santillanez was arrested on suspicion of breaking into the car, possibly using a coat hanger, and stealing the dog, Horner said.
The lieutenant didn't know if Santillanez merely wanted Baby for himself, or if he planned to sell the dog. A purebred Yorkie can fetch $1,200, Horner said.
"Those are pretty expensive little dogs," he said.
Fremont