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Dognapping Suspect Shows No Loyalty to Police

By  VIKKI VARGAS

Updated 1:18 PM PDT, Mon, Jan 26, 2009

 

Fullerton police said a man who agreed to turn himself in on dognapping charges is missing.

Twenty-one-year-old Brian Espinoza is wanted for burglary and grand theft. According to detectives, the La Habra man went into the Petian pet store on Euclid Avenue on Dec. 21 and stole a $1,600 Yorkshire Terrier, while acting as if he was playing with the dog.

"Our detectives have been in contact with Mr. Espinoza throughout the investigation and had an agreement with him to turn himself in this past Monday, Jan. 5," said Sgt. Mike McDonald.

Police said Espinoza's alleged partner, Brandon Nguyen, dared him to take the dog for $400. Nguyen was arrested and is out on $50,000 bail.

Authorities said Espinoza also wears black rimmed glasses.

The dog was returned to the pet store, where the owner said he plans to keep it and name it "Lucky."

Comments (5)

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  • Loyal Reader Thursday, Jan 8 at 4:23 PM FLAG COMMENT Is this a different puppy-napping story? As I recall the puppy was stolen by a young man and his accomplice to give as a Christmas present to one of their girlfriends. The girlfriend saw the story on T.V. and returned the puppy to the store and her boyfriend turned himself in. Ultimately, I think the girls' father purchased the puppy so she was able to keep it since she had already bonded with it.
  • ironfeather Thursday, Jan 8 at 8:13 AM FLAG COMMENT And who is going to pay $1600 for a dog? it would have wound up staying at the pet store.
  • almighty Thursday, Jan 8 at 6:40 AM FLAG COMMENT Fry him
  • Milly Thursday, Jan 8 at 12:05 AM FLAG COMMENT Come on people!!! He is just a kid and used bad judgement on a truth or dare. Either way the puppy was returned to the pet shop. Big Deal!!! Police should go after real criminals and the pet store owner should get over it. This is so silly, naming the dog Lucky. Who is to say the kids were not going to take good care of it anyway...
  • Love animals Wednesday, Jan 7 at 8:39 PM FLAG COMMENT Thank goodness that the puppy is back at the store in loving arms of hopefully a good owner. If this kid did it once he will do it again. I hope they can find him.

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