Police reunite 14-year-old with puppy that was taken at gunpoint in San Leandro

Byby Cornell Barnard KGO logo
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Teen reunited with dog stolen at gunpoint in San Leandro
Police have reunited a 14-year-old boy with his puppy, which was stolen from him at gunpoint earlier this week in San Leandro.

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. (KGO) -- There is a happy ending to the story of a dog stolen at gunpoint from her teenage owner in San Leandro. Maya, a three-month-old German Shepherd is back with her family.

"I was actually kind of anxious to see her," said Maya's owner.

It was the best news ever for this 14-year-old boy, his stolen puppy Maya is home safe.

"I got a call, got all excited," said Maya's owner.

His parents want their son's identity kept secret because the men who took Maya Monday night are still at large.

RELATED: Puppy stolen at gunpoint from San Leandro teen

A security camera caught the teen walking Maya Monday evening on Dayton Avenue when two men pulled up and demanded the pup, at first the boy refused.

"But he said he had a gun, I didn't believe him until he took out the gun," said Maya's owner.

Another security camera captured the suspect's car getting away and the heartbroken teen walking home alone without his dog.

"I knew there were going to sell her for money," said Maya's owner.

"Why did you think that?" asked ABC7's Cornell Barnard.

"The vet told me she was expensive," said Maya's owner.

He was right. Police say the thieves sold the dog to someone on the street for a few hundred bucks. A friend of the new owner saw a picture of Maya on TV.

"He convinced the friend who had Maya to relinquish her so that he could return the dog so that she could get reunited dog with her 14-year-old owner," said San Leandro Police Dept Lt. Robert McManus.

Maya was surrendered to police. Today, she's full of energy, cute as ever and happy to be home. She may have to wait a while for those evening walks though.

"I don't to walk her anymore. I think now I'm going to go with my parents," said Maya's owner.

The two dog thieves may be driving a silver or gray Mercedes sedan. If you have any information, call police.