The theft of an adorable puppy from a Stanton pet store set off of series of actions that captured the hearts of all over Southern California. It is an unusual tale that was reported in the print and broadcast press.
The Orange County Register gave this account:
Girlfriend gets to keep puppy her boyfriend is charged with stealing
Man stole $1,300 dog to give to his girlfriend for Christmas, authorities say.
By KIMBERLY EDDS and ADAM TOWNSEND
The Orange County Register
STANTON - It was love at first sight for the 3-month-old yellow Labrador retriever under the Christmas tree and his new owner.
What the new owner didn't know was that her boyfriend is suspected to have stolen the puppy from a Stanton pet store a few days before Christmas.
The puppy theft was caught on the store's video surveillance. The boyfriend – Ryan Rickman, 23, of Orange – was booked into county jail Tuesday night on suspicion of burglary and grand theft after he showed up at the scene of the crime and offered to pay for the dog. The puppy – Oggi – was turned in, photographed and turned over to Rickman's girlfriend after she paid for the dog in full.
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