Armed robbers steal puppies from family home

In Los Angeles two armed men forced their way into a home and stole a mother dog and four purebred Yorkshire puppies that had been advertised for sale in the newspaper. The puppies are valued at $2500 each.

The men posed as prospective buyers, arriving at the home around 10pm. When the woman opened the door, they pulled a gun, entered the home, and forced the family to lie on the floor while they placed the tiny dog and four puppies in a bag.

No one was injured during the robbery. A home surveillance camera caught them in action.

It is surprising that this sort of robbery doesn’t happen more often as people advertise valuable puppies for sale and then give strangers directions to their homes.

Unless the thieves forge the registration papers (not a difficult feat), they won’t get the full price for the puppies. Still they make a valuable heist in a small package.

Thanks to Denny for sending this story.

UPDATE--Happy ending!!
The mother dog and three of the puppies have been recovered and reunited with their family, according to this MSNBC story
Ryan Betton, 19, of Los Angeles, surrendered to police. A video tape from the family's security camera was broadcast on local TV stations, resulting in tips that sent police to Betton's father's home. He confronted his son and brought him to the police station. One pup remains missing and another man is being sought.

Thanks to Laura for the update.

Comments

[Author Mom DogNut]

What will they think of next? :(

[rosemary]

I saw the video and heard the story....pathetic, really. They threw the puppies in a plastic bag, probably scared the poor things to near death..just pathetic what people will do for a few $$$.

[tina]

When you think about it this is practically an invitation to rob them at home.

[Laura]

I've always thought that giving out too much information about your home when you're trying to sell something valuable was foolhardy.

I hope they find the mom and her pups, though. I wouldn't want anything to happen to them.

[Isabella]

Poor dogs! I can't even imagine how scared they must have been being put in a plastic bag. What horrid humans to do such a thing.
Big Wags,
Isabella

[Faith]

I don't know, I think it might be hard to resell them. They'd have to completely leave the area to do so. Otherwise you could just check on anyone who lists Yorkie puppies for sale within the next month or so.

Just a thought.

[Carina]

I saw that. Unbelievable.
Of course those puppies weren't worth even a fraction of $2500 - certainly not being advertised in the newspaper! Clearly a backyard breeder trying to cash in on the current popularity of Yorkies. That's a completely ridiculous and stupid price.
I only hope the pups and dogs are OK, and the stupid breeder has learned a lesson.
(My views are rather harsh and inflexible when it comes to breeding for profit.)

[Joshua Xalpharis]

It could have been worse. At least the family isn't buried out back.

[Coll]

This is so sad. The family must be devastated.

[Simply Jenn]

That is so sad. I hope puppy number four is okay. I have a question on a comment above. Do these puppies usually sell for that much? It seems to me if this was a good breeder who has produced show winning dogs that $2500 is appropriate. Is it?

[Jan]

I answered Jenn's question by email. If anyone has a similar question, please email me and I will answer it that way.

[Miss Trashahassee]

I luv happy endings!

[schnoodlepooh]

That was a terrible story and I'm so glad to hear that the dogs were recovered. Regardless of the rightness or wrongness of the price and the backyard breeders, stealing beloved pets is absolutely unforgivable. At least to me it would be like stealing my family.

[Theresa G.]

I am so happy that they were able to find all but one dog. I couldn't stop thinking about it. Thank God for the video of the robbers.

[Jen]

I saw this story on the evening news and found it very upsetting. I did not know that there had been an arrest and recovery of three puppies and the mother ~ I am very glad to hear of that. I hope the fourth puppy comes home soon!!!

[Marty]

It is very indeed a good news that home surveillance cameras. It makes me think more of how important they can really be in someone's home.

[Pretty Boy]

Happy ending huh?!?! u people r true pathetic... Ryan Betton is actually one of my best friends/next door neighbors and has been since i was 8 (I am now 21).... You really think that a human being locked up in a 4 by 4 cell for 2 years due to a slightly frieghtened (if even that) puppy is a happy ending?!?! are u kidding me?!?!! You white people r so caught up in ur lil animals (which u exploit may i add) thats its crazy, guccy carrying purse, putting shades on ur puppies, buying expensive outfts for them and puttin them on the news whenever a puppy is injured..... I mean seriously, who's committed the real crime here?!?! How bout u take all of that money u spend on grooming ur ANIMAL (which i can bet is wll over $2,500), and donate to those kids in need, donate to people like us, then wut reason would we have to do these things?!?!? And to u this is a happy ending, get a fuckin life dipshit