A puppy whisked away in a stolen dog-walking company's van Tuesday was reunited with its owners hours later, thanks to a tip that led San Francisco police to the alleged dog-nappers.
The dog named Murray was inside a brown van with "Woof Pack" and "Dogwalks.com" written on the sides and back door when someone made off with the vehicle Tuesday from Mason and Sacramento streets, according to the San Francisco Police Department.
⚠️ MURRAY LOCATED ⚠️
— San Francisco Police (@SFPD) December 6, 2023
Thank you everyone for spreading our alert. Murray has been located and has been reunited with his family!
As the day dragged on with still no sign of the van, SFPD asked for the public's help locating the missing vehicle.
READ MORE: San Francisco Neighborhood With Most Car Break-Ins Has Tourists Taking Steps To Dodge Crime
Finally, around 5 p.m., a call came in that led officers from SFPD's Park Station to Baker and Fell streets, by the tip of the Panhandle, where someone said they spotted the van after recognizing it from the call for public help.
The tipster recounted seeing a man and woman near a van that fit the description provided by police, according to SFPD Officer Gonee Sepulveda. The bystander took the van keys away from the man, who then walked away.
The female suspect was detained, Sepulveda added, and the man was arrested on suspicion of stealing the car and puppy.
Per SFPD, no harm seemed to have befallen the dog, and the van appeared unscathed. Charges are pending the investigation, police said.
Dogwalks.com confirmed to The Standard that the dog and van were returned around 6 p.m.