On Wednesday night, tragedy struck Julio Escobar and Kamila Agudelo when their French bulldog, Rajah, was stolen in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood of Los Angeles.
The newlyweds are offering a reward for the safe return of their beloved dog while going around their neighborhood asking if anyone may have surveillance video of the robbery.
“That was our son,” said Escobar tearfully.
At about 9:15, Agudelo was standing on a sidewalk in the 8000 block of Cashio Street when she felt a tug on her dog’s leash. When she turned around, she saw a man trying to take her dog, said the Los Angeles Police Department.
As she struggled with the thief, another man pushed her to the ground, breaking her grip on the leash.
“I was already holding Rajah, and I said, ‘Please no,’ and I tried to grab onto him and he pushed me and I lost control of the leash,” said Agudelo.
Agudelo screamed for her husband to help, who started chasing after the suspects.
“He pulled out the gun and he was going to shoot me,” recalls Escobar. “He saw me and was ready to shoot, but I heard from the inside of the car, the other two guys yell at him and say, ‘Don’t shoot, get in’ and then as he put the gun away, he threw himself in the truck and they made a quick left and drove.”
Ultimately, three suspects fled in a dark-colored van with the couple’s beloved dog.
Police are looking for the thieves, as well as the blue-gray French bulldog with a reverse brindle coat and a white chest.
The suspects are described as two Black males between the ages of 30 and 40 years old, said LAPD.
The distraught couple remains concerned for Rajah’s safety and has asked neighbors to be on the lookout. They’ve been visiting local shelters in hopes of finding him.
“Sadly, it’s a business,” said Agudelo. “Our baby is not neutered yet, so I just think he’s probably going to be used or they’re going to try to sell him.”
Anyone with information can call Detective Lomis at 310-444-1528. During non-business hours, call 877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).
To report information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
This is the latest in a string of robberies involving French bulldogs. Last year, Lady Gaga’s dog walker was shot during a theft, and earlier this month, armed robbers took a pregnant woman’s Frenchies in Studio City.
