WARREN, Mich. – A Warren man is facing a charge for keeping a family’s dog that ran away and demanding money in return.
A 21-year-old Warren man was charged with receiving and concealing stolen property valued at $200 to $1,000, a one-year misdemeanor.
Recommended Videos
Disel, a black-and-white Alaskan Klee Kai, ran away from home on Waltham Road on April 25.
Update: Facebook lost dog post leads to ransom demands, police investigation in Warren
Disel’s owners turned to social media to share photos of the dog in hopes of a safe return. The family then received messages demanding money for the dog’s return.
On April 29, a 21-year-old Warren man told the family he had bought Disel from an unknown person and demanded cash for his return.
After further investigation, Warren police tracked down the phone number associated with the social media account and learned where the Warren man lived.
When officers arrived at the Warren man’s home, a dog could be heard barking at the front door and was soon identified as Disel.
The Warren man acknowledged Disel belonged to another family, but he allegedly refused to surrender the dog. Police said he became uncooperative.
The Warren man was eventually arrested. Disel was surrendered and reunited with his family.
On May 2, the 21-year-old Warren man was arraigned in court and was given a $1,000 cash bond.
“It is truly disheartening that someone would attempt to exploit a family’s distress for financial gain, but I am proud of our investigators for seeing through the deception and ensuring Disel was returned home safely,” said Police Commissioner Eric Hawkins. “The swift actions of our Detective Bureau demonstrate our commitment to the safety and well-being of all our residents, including our four-legged ones. We want to remind our citizens that while social media is a powerful tool for finding lost pets, it also attracts those looking to take advantage of others. Please remain vigilant and report any suspicious demands to law enforcement immediately.”