[News] Dognapped terrier returned to owners
 

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

one rescued yorkie == now if only the rest could be found that have been stolen, there are so many on the list

I sure hope this couple learned a lesson and that there story teaches so many others

Oh, it is wonderful the puppy is home!!:aimeeyork :aimeeyork

But I hope that jerk gets some time in the hanger for all the wrongs he has done! He sure does not belong out on the streets, to be able to steal more furbabies!

I think what I found most hopeful about this story is that the police actually took the time to do the detective work. :thumbup: I think they are starting to realize how much we, the public, care about our pets.

Glad the yorkie was found. Gee it is all pretty scary that these guys are worth so much idiots are so willing to steal them..:eek:

I hope those folks learned a valuable lesson. I just wish they wouldn't print in a newspaper or tell on the news how valuable Yorkies are. It's just going to get worse. Hang on to your babies and NEVER leave them in the car alone. Unless of course you have a 150 pound man eater. :sidesplt:

I'm glad that they got their yorkie back. It does upset me that they would leave their yorkie in a car. I have problems with people leaving their dogs in cars for LONG periods of time. This past summer, I went to Target and it was hot out, and even though they had their windows cracked down for their shih-tzu, it was too hot for it to be left alone in the car while they shopped in A/C. :mad:

I would NEVER leave my yorkie alone in a car, for even a minute. Wouldn't do it with my child, won't do it with my yorkie.
I hope people take this as a warning. It's not ok for somebody to steal them, obviously, but I think we need to be much more cautious with our babies.

Here in my hometown... I have seen dogs in cars
 

In the heat:mad: I pick up my cell and stand by the car and call the cops. I have had cops come and locate the owners and issue them a fine--warning. One fine was $250.00 That pissed off the owners:thumbup: :thumbup: Bet they will not do it again. I will not stand and watch this stupid act.

I am glad that yorkie was returned and they got the guy! For the gods sake I hope they wont leave the baby in the car again!:eek: Its the same thing as leaving your human kid in the car and go shopping:eek:

wow lucky couple to have gotten their dog back!!! because of stories like this i hardly take princess with me anywhere.. and if i do im paranoid and have to check up on her every few minutes.. so i just dont bother to bring her with me unless she can go in a store with me.. it sucks having to be nervous all the time when owning yorkies because of the increase rate of dognappers :mad:

:( That is exactly the problem. They print the value of yorkies and make them more desirable for crooks.

I am so glad they got their baby back. It could have been alot worse.

wow that was a happy ending...and that man needs to go back to jail...hehe