A 33-year-old man, Ali Tarawally, with a criminal record spanning over a decade and more than 40 prior arrests, was apprehended by authorities on July 6 in connection with the theft of an 11-year-old Shih Tzu named Lady. Despite prosecutors requesting $10,000 bail, a judge granted Tarawally supervised release, and the dog has yet to be recovered.
The incident occurred on July 6 when Lady's owner, McKina Artis, 50, was returning home from a grooming appointment. When Lady's cup fell from her stroller at the 125th Street-Lexington Avenue subway station, Artis briefly stepped away to retrieve it. During that moment, Tarawally allegedly snatched Lady from the stroller and fled. A security guard was unable to apprehend the suspect.
Artis described Lady as her emotional support dog and expressed deep distress over the disappearance. "I love Lady like she is my kid," Artis stated, emphasizing the profound bond she shares with her pet.
Tarawally was arrested days after the theft and charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property. However, he did not provide information about Lady's whereabouts, according to authorities and Artis.
Tarawally's prior arrests, which began in 2012, include charges of grand larceny for allegedly stealing a phone from a commuter on the subway, criminal mischief, drug possession, and theft of service. Artis questioned the judicial decision to release Tarawally, expressing concern that he may not be deterred from further criminal activity.
Investigators informed Artis that Tarawally disembarked the train with Lady at the President St-Medgar Evers College station in Brooklyn. Artis has since distributed missing dog flyers throughout the neighborhood, fearing that Lady, who is spayed and has health issues, may have been sold. Artis and her daughter have also shared a video plea on TikTok appealing for Lady's safe return. Tarawally is scheduled to appear in court again on August 11, which is also Artis's birthday.