Brookhaven dog stolen while on walk with owner
BROOKHAVEN, Ga. - Police are investigating a bold robbery where a man stole a dog as her owner walked her.
UPDATE: Police: Woman made up dognapping story
Habibah Dixon was walking "Blondie" near her unit at Encore Apartments in Brookhaven around 10:30 Friday night when the Yorkie began to bark. Dixon said she tried to calm the dog, but was unsuccessful. Then, she saw a man in a hoodie and skinny jeans come out from behind a large bush and walk toward her.
"All of a sudden, he just reached around her waist or around her middle section and just yanked her as hard as he could and the whole leash flew out my hands and he took off running toward Clairmont Road," said Dixon.
Stunned, Dixon said she froze for a minute before running inside to call police.
"This guy was running pretty fast and I just for a second, I just feel like I just I could have done more to protect her and if I had known that that was a possibility--it was not something I even understood that somebody would do to me--that someone would actually steal a dog and run away with her," Dixon explained.
Dixon printed flyers and has handed them out to people in her apartment complex and the surrounding neighborhood, which is located near the intersection of Clairmont Road and Interstate 85 in DeKalb County.
She said Blondie recently had surgery and she worries that the person who took the dog does not know how to care for her. Yorkies are expensive breeds and Dixon fears the thief may sell the dog.
"I don't think they did it just because they wanted to take care of her," said Dixon. "I think they did it for the money value. They wanted to get money and they wanted to make a quick dollar on her, but it's not about the money. I'm willing to pay money to get her back--no questions asked. A reward--I just want my baby back. That's all I want."
Brookhaven Police have opened an investigation into the theft. Dixon asks anyone who may know where Blondie is to call her at (703) 789-6982 or contact police.