PARMA, Ohio (WOIO) – Parma Police assisted retrieving a stolen French Bulldog that was picked up by a man while it ran off from its home with another dog Saturday.
Police said around 6:20 p.m., the owner of two French Bulldogs reported that his dogs had gotten out of his fenced backyard in the 4900 block of Wood Avenue.
The owner posted a description and photos of the dogs on social media, asking for assistance finding them.
A 31-year-old Parma resident spotted the two dogs on West 54th Street and was able to lure one into his vehicle, but the other continued to run away.
The Parma resident saw the other dog get picked up by a male passenger in a maroon Hyundai.
The resident spoke to the male briefly, and the vehicle fled off with the dog, according to police.
The resident got the vehicle’s plate and description of the passenger. Cleveland Heights Police checked the address of the owner, but the vehicle was not there, and the person at the home refused to speak with police.
The dog owner then posted a reward on social media for the safe return of the dog.
After increasing the reward to $2,500, the owner was contacted on Sunday by a female stating that she had the dog and wanted to meet for the reward money.
The story of how she found the dog was suspicious and did not make sense, according to police.
A meeting was set up to have the dog returned and collect the reward money. Officers set up out of view of the meeting place and saw a male and female arrive with the dog.
Officers made contact with the individuals, confirmed the initial involvement, and arrests were made.
Following further investigation by detectives, the female was released with no charges.
The man, 33-year-old LaShawn Cortez Burt of Cleveland, has been charged with felony theft and will be in Parma Municipal Court on April 8th.
The dogs are back with their owner.
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