Police have arrested a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of stealing two French Bulldogs in an armed robbery in Downtown Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Police Department announced.
The robbery occurred on Nov. 12 in the early hours of the morning, reported NBC Los Angeles. on the Sixth Street Viaduct which connects Downtown Los Angeles with the Boyle Heights neighborhood, according to police.
The two victims told police that they were walking their dogs, Rhino and Blue, when two males approached them. One of them had a handgun. Per the LAPD, the suspects stole the dogs and left in a dark-colored 2010 to 2013 Nissan.
One Suspect Charged
On Nov. 16, police arrested the 15-year-old boy – who can’t be named due to his age. Two days later, the District Attorney’s Office charged him with two counts of armed robbery. It’s unclear if police are seeking a second suspect at this time. However, the two French Bulldogs have not yet been recovered.
Rhino’s owner is offering a reward for the return of the canines, and is posting updates on Instagram at @bringrhinohome. Rhino’s owner can be contacted at [email protected].
One day ago (Nov. 22) Rhino’s dog parent posted to Instagram that the dogs are thought to have last been sighted in the South Central neighborhood of Los Angeles. They describe the pup as being male, tan, 22-24 lbs, and four years old, with an “incredibly sweet and gentle disposition”.
Still Looking for Information
Meanwhile, anybody with information is encouraged to contact Hollenbeck Gang Detectives at 323-342-8956. Anonymous tips can be called into Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or sent through online at lacrimestoppers.org.
Dog theft is unfortunately becoming more prevalent. Recently, a spokesperson for nonprofit AKC Reunite, which helps reunite dogs with parents, said that the number of pets reported stolen to them is rising by 30% every year.