Purebred Puppies Stolen At Gunpoint

Armed Dognappers Seize Four Yorkshire Terrier Puppies From L.A. Family's Home

(AP)  Two men forced their way into a family's home at gunpoint and stole four purebred Yorkshire terrier puppies worth $2,500 each, police said Thursday.

The men arrived at the family's Koreatown home around 10 p.m. Friday and posed as prospective buyers of the puppies, which were advertised for sale in a newspaper.

Kelly Lee, whose family breeds dogs, told KCAL-TV the men made an appointment to see the dogs. When the two showed up, she said she asked them to remove their shoes before entering the house.

One suspect told her they would get slippers from his vehicle, Lee said. When the two men returned, one pointed a gun at her and three family members.

"They yelled at us to get down" on the floor of the living room, Lee said.

As one man held a gun, the other chased after the puppies with a plastic garbage bag as they scampered around the room and underneath a coffee table, home surveillance video released by police showed. He snatched one of the dogs from Lee's hands.

After stuffing the dogs one by one in the bag, the man left with his partner. The two then fled in a silver car, police said.

Besides the four puppies, Lee's grown terrier, named Tan-ja, also was taken.

No one was injured during the robbery.

"It appears the suspects answered the ad, knowing the value of the puppies," police Lt. Paul Vernon said.

The puppies were valued at $2,500 each. Police said the victims were most concerned about the loss of Tan-ja, the family pet for more than three years.

"I just want to find my dog, that's it," Lee said.

"This robbery is a good lesson to residents that soliciting buyers to one's home can be a risky practice," Vernon said.

[kalindra1-2009]

I would like to respond to the woman who said that $2500 is a bit much for a puppy. As a breeder of Cairn Terriers all with champion lines, $2500 is not a lot to ask for a puppy considering their bloodline. Expensive dogs don't have to be show dogs and who cares how much the are worth, they are priceless to their owners. I m glad that the puppies are back with their owners. My husband now wants to rent a police officer everytime we show our puppies to prospective buyers. Thanks to stupid people that can't keep their hands off what doesn't belong to them.

[randalds]

Last Suspect Arrested in Stolen Dog Case
From Associated Press
March 04, 2007 11:41 PM EST

LOS ANGELES - Four purebred Yorkshire terriers stolen at gunpoint during a home invasion robbery more than a week ago were returned to their owners after a man turned himself in to police.

Three puppies, valued at $2,500 each, and a full-grown family pet named Tan-ja were reunited with their owners at the Wilshire Division police station Saturday night. One puppy remained missing, police said.

Family members hugged and kissed the panting pups and left the police station with the dogs in their arms.

The animals were recovered after Ryan Betton, 19, of Los Angeles, surrendered to police Friday night, Detective Luis Corona said. A second suspect, 23-year-old Troy Cabral, turned himself in Sunday morning.

[randalds]

Local news here in L.A. is reporting that most of the pups have been recovered and one person is under arrest. Hope they hang him up by his balls...with fish hooks!

[kansasgirl69]

I am heartbroken for the people that had their beautiful Yorkies stolen. I have three that we love and cherish.
I am sickened by the comments that some of these people,or should I say BIGOTS, have posted on this Web page. It just shows your intelligence - or your lack of that is for sure. How horrible!!
These poor people had their beloved pets stolen at gunpoint! Have some class and have some sympathy for them. It doesn't matter where they are from - they are suffering.
I hope that they find the idiots that did this and have the puppies returned to them along with their dog.

[bhappy2-2]

GunOwnerDan,
Checked out the linked site. I really enjoyed it, will go back to it often. I always considered myself fairly knowledgeable about firearms, but I found things I didn't know. Thanks for the link.

[jmchere]

I have 6 yorkies and they are great pets. I hope they find them they are like family to the owners they each have a deferent personalitys and are so sweet you will never know how much you love them tell you have one own you.

[flolake]

I suppose the I.R.S. should look into this case as well.

[apndrgn]

there is 'cook book' math and honors calculus which is entirely proofs. if Agmaggot really is a higher being, then humans evolve only to help themselves and this is self serving by definition. Another postulate might be for policemen. ie, when all people are good, there will be no need for policemen, so the goal of every cop is to oneday not work. To fill the earth with creatures who befriended nobody is simply pissing in the wind. and there ain't nothing like a friend, who can tell you, your just pissing in the wind.(neal young)

[apndrgn]

my brother has a yorkie and i have two pits and a sharpei. All my dogs were abandoned and or injured when found.The sharpei can hardly see because of wrinkles. people think the pit eat yorkie is the only thing you can do with their natural instincts. wrong. I put razor scooter wheels on my skate board. my brother drives up the street and holds the yourkey out the window. I have hit speeds of 30 mph up hill. people that destroy their animals for pleasure should walk across the freeway at night blindfolded and bet on wether they make it across. the blind leading the blind. both shall fall into a pitbull.

[sandy777-2009]

sorry to hear about the yorkies. hope those guys don't plan on using those yorkies as bait for their pits. that would be awful!

[agnim]

"That's ludicrous. I always have a .380 in my hand behind my back whenever I go to the door. I first look out my back windows before I answer the door.

Posted by MITYWHITY at 02:17 PM : Mar 02, 2007"

What? LOL
You can't be serious?

See below what I posted about those most likely to misrepresent the sense of the word 'compassion'.

Maybe you are in law enforcement and made a lot of enemies? LOL
Otherwise, please seek help.

[agnim]

"When your intellect leaves no room for compassion you have turned the wrong corner in life.

Posted by MITYWHITY at 02:13 PM : Mar 02, 2007"

"Compassion" for what, pray tell?

I've found that the vast amount of people who bandy about the word 'compassion' has a problem with weak heartedness.

Knowing of Americans living in destitution, while wasting overmuch resources on animals (that Mother Nature equip well to tend to their own needs) not only demonstrate a real lack of compassion; it reeks of ignorance, stupidity, and mental defect! OK?

[sv1966]

Why in the world would they let these people into their home. Most breeders around here wouldnt allow it for fear of spreading a disease to the dogs. The sad fact is these poor dogs are paying for their owners STUPIDITY!!! I hope they catch them And I would like to see the look on their faces when they find out they were on camera.

[mitywhity]

GunOwnerDan says:
This is why whenever strangers come to your home, you should be armed.
HOW funny is that...can you picture the Avon lady or a Little kid selling Girl Scout Cookies and you pull a gun on them .......Posted by luvNY

That's ludicrous. I always have a .380 in my hand behind my back whenever I go to the door. I first look out my back windows before I answer the door. I have never leveled a gun at a girl scout. A victim is simply the person at the crossroad of opportunity and unpreparedness.

[mitywhity]

Agnim is a very well read and educated man. But I think he has become educated above his intelligence. When your intellect leaves no room for compassion you have turned the wrong corner in life.

[agnim]

"Obviously you have never had a pet, probably a good thing.

Posted by VABEACHBABE at 01:28 PM : Mar 02, 2007"

I rather playing with higher order beings like myself. And let the beasts to their own kind.

But this has less to do with your 'pets' and more to do with the psychosis of weak and worthless minds that can't figure out the priorities of life!

Those who don't know to PUT HUMANS FIRST shouldn't be allowed the resources to waste on animals.

All these resources WASTED on these dogs, etc is making the Asians appear to have the right attitude in eating so-called 'man's best friend'. LOL

[agnim]

"Boy, Agnim, you are one mean human being.

Theresa
Posted by tmliddle at 01:23 PM : Mar 02, 2007"
Why, 'cause I want to see resources (wasted) INVESTED IN HUMANS AS A PRIORITY; and let Mother Nature continue to look out for the animals, as has been done long before humans interefered?

For that, I'll take your mindless mis-characterization any day; and I would like to get you in the 'middle'. LOL

[nothappyatall]

"This robbery is a good lesson to residents that soliciting buyers to one's home can be a risky practice," Vernon said."

As a dog breeder and exhibitor for years, this is the first time I have ever heard of an armed robbery like this, this instance would be extremely rare and thousands of people every week sell puppies with no problems. This robbery was in Los Angeles, crime capital of the US, no surprise there! This kind of stuff does not happen in backwater Minnisota. The worst I've heard of has been some guy stole a puppy from a pet shop by hiding it under his overcoat and walking out.

$2500 for a Yorkshire puppy is BS, this breed is as common as telephone poles and every newspaper in the country has ads for them and their mixtures.
$800-$1200 is a much more likely price, for show quality from champion lines.

[vabeachbabe]

In regards to: Posted by Agnim : Obviously you have never had a pet, probably a good thing. I hope that theses little guys are found safe and sound and returned to their owner soon! How devastating!!

[tmliddle]

Boy, Agnim, you are one mean human being. You must be a very unhappy person to get such joy out of someone else's misery and misfortune. I feel sorry for you.

Theresa