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Owner reunited with 11-year-old Boston Terrier named Stella after pup was stolen from inside car

Stolen dog reunited with owner after being taken from inside car in Mid Wilshire
Stolen dog reunited with owner after being taken from inside car in Mid Wilshire 00:35

A woman who was desperately searching for her beloved 11-year-old Boston Terrier was reunited with the stolen pup on Saturday days after she was first taken.

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Stella, the 11-year-old Boston Terrier, after she was reunited with her owners on Saturday.  Amy Rothman

The dog named Stella was stolen during a brazen robbery which happened at around 8 p.m. on Wednesday outside of the Whole Foods located on W. 3rd Street as Stephanie Santos was running errands. The robbers shattered one of the windows of Santos's car and grabbed Stella before taking off in an unknown direction. 

"If you have Stella, please, I hope you're treating her right, you're treating her well," Santos said while speaking with KCAL News on Thursday. She says that the pup is on a strict diet and has to take medication. 

Santos was inside for about 20 minutes when she got back to her car and saw that Stella had been taken. 

"I looked for Stella, she wasn't in the car. I started crying, screaming. I was hysterical."

Though she filed a police report, she's having a hard time getting security footage from the parking lot and leads on possible suspects are running thin. 

Santos believes that Stella was taken because of her resemblance to a French Bulldog, one of the most commonly stolen dog breeds because of their high value. 

As the search continues, Santos and friends have hit the streets in the surrounding area to post fliers begging for Stella's return, even offering a reward.

"We are willing to do anything and everything — no questions asked — we just want Stella back."

Their wishes were granted on Saturday, when an unknown person texted Santos to say that they had Stella. The two met up and Stella was returned to her rightful home, and an overjoyed family! 

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