A hooded woman was captured on a doorbell camera leaving a family home with their dog in what is suspected to be a break-in. The incident occurred on August 18 when Zidane, a seven-year-old Beauceroodle, vanished from the residence in Colchester, Essex.
Christopher De Freitas, Zidane's owner, was on holiday in Cornwall with his children at the time. A friend house-sitting at the property contacted De Freitas to report the dog's disappearance. Ring doorbell footage shows the woman repeatedly visiting the house before Zidane is seen walking past the camera, followed by the woman who pulls up her hood.
De Freitas stated that the woman knocked on the door four times over approximately 30 minutes. She returned about 40 minutes later and was seen leaving with the dog. A neighbor's gate was reportedly damaged, and the home's double-glazed doors were forced open. A dog lead and food were also taken from the property.
De Freitas, who works for Transport for London, received notifications from his Ring doorbell while on a beach with his children. He described the moment he realized what was happening hundreds of miles away as "utter shock."
Essex Police arrested a 49-year-old woman in connection with the burglary and theft of the dog. She was interviewed and subsequently released on bail until October 2. The whereabouts of Zidane remain unknown.
Appeals for information regarding Zidane's whereabouts have been widely shared on social media. De Freitas's children have been deeply affected by the dog's disappearance, with De Freitas noting their continued distress. Zidane, described as a family pet since he was a puppy, is known to be good with families and other dogs, and is intelligent. He is a cross between a Beauceron and a Poodle.
Police are requesting anyone with information, CCTV, dash cam, or other footage related to the incident to come forward.
