The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has issued a warning to the general public regarding a new and sophisticated scheme for dognapping.
The LAPD is also asking for assistance from the public to help in capturing the dognappers.
According to a police report, two women who were dressed in official-looking green uniforms showed up at the Echo Park apartment of a man in Waterloo Street's 1000 block in Los Angeles. The women introduced themselves to the man as officers under the Animal Cruelty Task Force of the LAPD.
The supposed officers told the man that they received several complaints that the dog, owned by the man, was being neglected. The women then gave a flier to the man before saying that they were there to take away his dog.
According to the pet owner, the flier looked like it was a legitimate one as it contained seemingly correct information regarding the Animal Cruelty Task Force of the LAPD.
Despite knowing that his dog was not being abused or neglected, the man felt that he was compelled to turn over his dog to the two women since they appeared to be officers.
After the two supposed officers took the dog and left, the man decided to contact the number that was listed on the flier. The number did go through to the Animal Cruelty Task Force of the LAPD, but to his horror, the department informed him that it was not involved in the incident that took his dog away.
The incident occurred on April 14 at 3 p.m.
Erica Nochlin of KCAL9 talked to the owner of the dognapped pet, who was understandably too upset to speak on camera. The man is simply hoping somebody will be able to help him and authorities will be able to retrieve the stolen dog.
The first woman is described as one of Hispanic descent, with a height of about 5 feet, weight of about 140 pounds and age of about 35 years old. The second woman is described as white, with the same height, weight and age as the first suspect.
Nochlin also talked to the neighbors of the victim, who expressed their disbelief and anger over the new scam.
"I think that's awful. I don't know what I would do if somebody took my dog, so hopefully they can find who did it," said a neighbor named Kim Johnson.
The LAPD is requesting anybody with information regarding the suspects to contact authorities at (213) 484-3400.
Don't forget to follow T-Lounge on Twitter and visit our Facebook page.
