Pomeranian Abducted From Las Vegas Driveway Reunited With Family
Surveillance footage captured a man chasing and eventually carrying away the family pet, leading to a police investigation and a reunion days later.
A Las Vegas family has been reunited with their Pomeranian, Linus, after the dog was abducted from their driveway on Friday, Sept. 18. The reunion occurred late Sunday, following a nearly two-day search.
Jaelle Johnson reported Linus missing around 6 p.m. on Friday. She last saw the dog near her son in the garage area. When she went to feed him, Linus was gone. Johnson described a "gut-wrenching feeling" that her dog had been taken.
Neighbors' security cameras provided the first clues. Surveillance footage showed a man chasing Linus down the street, then pursuing him as the dog hid under a car. A later recording captured the man carrying Linus away.
"I see him and little Linus running quickly back down the street from the house and this man is behind him in the frame, running after him," Johnson told The California Post. In one recording, Johnson heard a woman with the man say, "We have another order," leading Johnson to believe the man might be a delivery driver.
Johnson filed a police report with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. After initially being told it could take up to 48 hours for a detective to be assigned, she contacted local media outlets to help raise awareness. A friend who is a detective assisted Johnson in getting the surveillance footage to investigators, which aided in Linus's recovery.
Linus was returned to the family shortly before midnight on Sunday, approximately 54 hours after his disappearance. Upon his return, Linus appeared significantly changed, described as very dirty, smelling of smoke, and reluctant to be touched. Johnson noted that he had recently been bathed before his abduction, making his dirty state even more noticeable. Despite his condition, Linus ate his dinner and showed signs of affection when held.
The police report lists the incident as grand larceny, and the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abduction is ongoing. Johnson considers Linus a vital part of her family, stating that his absence felt like losing "a part of my soul."