NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif.—A pit bull mix dog was stolen from its owner during a brazen attack inside a North Hollywood 7-Eleven store on Sept. 26, but was recovered safe on Sept. 28 and returned home. The two suspects remained at large.
The theft occurred inside the store in the 11100 block of Burbank Boulevard at about 12:45 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
Police said a woman was inside the store with her dog on a leash. Moments later, two suspects entered the business and allegedly assaulted the woman in an unprovoked attack, using force to remove the dog from her possession.
The attack was caught on video and widely broadcast, showing one suspect holding the woman in a headlock while the other makes off with the dog.
The dog was recovered sometime Thursday afternoon, although police did not immediately provide any details. Video by CBS2 showed the dog being reunited with its owner.
ABC7 reported that the dog was spotted at a sober-living home in Orange County, where operators of the home recognized the animal from news reports and confronted the tenants who had it. The tenants fled, leaving behind the dog, which was turned over to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which in turn contacted the LAPD, the station reported.
There was no word of any arrests.
Detectives described the suspects as a female wearing all-black clothing and black shoes, along with a man wearing a black-and-white sweater, blue jeans, and black shoes.
The 11-year-old dog named Drake is a golden pit bull/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix.
Anyone with information about the suspects or the robbery was urged to contact robbery detectives Noah Stone or Chris Phillips of the LAPD’s North Hollywood station at 818-754-8424. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477. During non-business hours or weekends, calls should be directed to 877-527-3247.
