NJ - The Rigoliosi family was enjoying a Fourth of July picnic at their neighbor's house in Paramus when fireworks from a nearby park frightened their dog, Polo.
The skittish pooch dashed into the front yard as Lori Rigoliosi and her 8-year-old son, Chaz, chased after him.
Then they watched in horror as a man in a black SUV drove off with Polo in the passenger seat.
They tried to chase down the car, yelling to the driver. But the vehicle turned down a main street and vanished.
"At first I thought the guy might have good intentions and was trying to return him," Rigoliosi said. "But he obviously didn't."
Now the family is asking for help in finding Polo. They are offering a $500 reward to whoever returns him safely.
Nine-year-old Polo is a black and brown Yorkshire terrier. Unlike most Yorkies, his ears don't stand up. He gets carsick and needs Dramamine when the family goes on vacation, Rigoliosi said.
"I feel like I lost my son," she said through tears Friday. "He's not just a dog."
She wasn't the only one missing him.
Polo had been "married" to a neighbor's dog, Bella, a Chihuahua that Rigoliosi said has been looking out the window wondering where he is. Another neighbor let the family borrow one of his Yorkies for comfort until Polo is found.
Because Polo wasn't wearing tags, whoever has him might not know that he's someone else's dog, Deputy Police Chief Richard Cary said. In that case, Cary said, there would be no charges.
Polo has been a family member since a cousin gave him to the Rigoliosis seven years ago. He goes swimming with the boys -- Chaz, Chris, 13, and Craig, 16 -- jumping on a boogie board and watching over them as they play, their mother said.
"The kids are totally distraught," said Englewood Lt. Steven Sabo, a family friend.
Chaz has been especially upset, his mom said. Although everyone has been trying to keep him occupied, his mother said Chaz still takes a box of tissues with him to bed and cries himself to sleep.
"It makes it worse when he sees me break down," Rigoliosi said. "I've been sending him out with friends."
The rest of the family has dealt with the situation in their own ways. Craig has been supportive and protective, trying to keep everyone calm. Chris has been quiet, not really letting his emotions show, she said.
Even the neighbors miss Polo. Friends have been distributing fliers and searching the community, she said.
"The kids' friends and all our neighbors are helping," Rigoliosi said. "Everyone knows Polo."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Paramus Sgt. Glen Doughty at 201-262-3400, ext. 532.
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