San Francisco Police Ask for Help Finding Yorkshire Terrier Stolen from Car
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Police in San Francisco on Friday asked the public's help finding a pet Yorkshire Terrier who was stolen along with a suitcase from a victim's vehicle Thursday night.
Police tweeted photos of the dog, a 10-year-old Yorkshire Terrier named Leo, on Friday afternoon as they asked for the public's assistance in locating the dog and reuniting him with his family.
On Thursday evening at approximately 10:15 p.m., officers met with the victim of an auto burglary at the Central Station.
The victims told police that they had parked their Lexus sedan on North Point Street near Powell Street, leaving Leo inside the car. When they returned, they found that an unknown suspect had broken a window and stolen the dog, who was in a soft, nylon-style dog carrier. The department's tweet featured a photo of they type of dog carrier Leo was in as well.
The suspect or suspects also took a suitcase. Police said the owners told them Leo has some minor health issues.
The couple who owns Leo told KPIX that they were visiting San Francisco to celebrate their 12th anniversary.
"I felt like a part of my heart just fell in my stomach. And I thought, 'He must be so scared. Where is he? Are they taking care of him?'" said owner Jacqueline Zavala-Lee. "I didn't even notice the luggage was missing at first. I just started running around and screaming for Leo."
Over the weekend, the distraught couple announced they were offering a $1,000 reward for Leo's safe return.
Police have noted a recent increase in vehicle break-ins as tourism in San Francisco begins to make a comeback. According to the San Francisco Police Department, car burglaries are up 138 percent in the Central District from this time last year.
SFPD investigators are asking anyone with information about the auto burglary or Leo's whereabouts to call the SFPD Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
