A family’s beloved dog taken at gunpoint during a weekend walk has spurred an investigation by Alameda County sheriff’s deputies, authorities said.
In a statement posted to social media, the sheriff’s office said a woman and her adult daughter were walking Tito, a French bulldog, along Norbridge Road around 5:30 p.m. Saturday when a black 2019 Kia sport-utility vehicle pulled up in front of them.
According to the statement, the daughter later told sheriff’s investigators that four or five people got out of the Kia, with three holding guns.
While one suspect took a purse that held the woman’s wallet and home and car keys, another snatched Tito from the daughter. The suspects then ran back to the SUV and drove off westward along Norbridge.
Around 9:45 p.m. Saturday, the suspects came to the woman’s home and stole her 2019 Mercedes AMG C63 coupe from her driveway.
After deputies learned of the theft and canvassed the neighborhood, they found some surveillance-camera footage, and later learned that the Kia had been reported stolen by Oakland police and used in several prior armed robberies.
“The family just wants him back,” a post from a sheriff-associated social media account said late Sunday morning. “We are hoping the robbers will do the right thing and drop him off at a safe location where he can be found and reunited with his family.
Anyone with information should call the sheriff’s office at 510-667-7721. Callers may remain anonymous.
On Saturday, “TITO” the French Bulldog, was stolen from the owner at gun point, while the victim and her mother walked him in Castro Valley, CA. The 4-5 suspects also took the victims purse and later returned to her home to steal her car. https://t.co/9thSSmk7dX pic.twitter.com/rBaRWJmQtQ
— Alameda County Sheriff (@ACSOSheriffs) January 16, 2022
More pictures of Tito the French Bulldog. On Saturday, he was taken at gunpoint by robbers in Castro Valley. The family just wants him back. We are hoping the robbers will do the right thing and drop him off at a safe location where he can be found and reunited with his family. pic.twitter.com/yhEghLKrLi
— Alameda County Sheriff (@ACSOSheriffs) January 16, 2022
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.
Source: www.mercurynews.com