Derek Staahl
A Phoenix family whose Great Dane was inside a stolen SUV is relieved and grateful after the beloved pet was recovered and the suspected thief was taken into custody.
The family left the 7-year-old dog, named Luna, in a running Ford Escape to keep the animal cool while visiting a shopping center near Tatum and Shea boulevards on Friday. When they returned, both the SUV and the dog were gone.
“I miss my doggie, and she’s really my sister,” said little Amani Koski. “I hope she’s safe. I don’t want her to get scared.”
The Ford Escape belonged to Amani’s grandmother. Amani’s mom, Jasmine, came to pick them up, and a few hours later they spotted something they never expected: the stolen SUV with the thief inside.
“We pulled out of OHSO parking lot onto Shea Boulevard, turned right toward the 51 to drive back to our house, and I pulled right behind my mom’s stolen car,” she said.
Jasmine said she pulled up behind the stolen car at a red light, and the man sped off.
“So he sees us obviously moving our hands — got some attention. So he cuts across four lanes of traffic and decides to go northbound on the 51.”
Jasmine said she tried to follow the man, but she lost the suspect when he started speeding and weaving through traffic.
Jasmine shared her story on Facebook, and someone recognized the dog and contacted her around midnight. Police also found the stolen SUV with a broken back window and arrested the suspect, the family said.
“I am grateful to a degree that I cannot even begin to explain to any of you,” she wrote on Facebook. “Your help and support and willingness to reach out and share my post is more than I ever could’ve imagined. I love every single one of you. I am beyond happy to say that Luna has been found and she is home safe! Thank you again. All of you!”
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