To the list of objects desired by the local criminal element it appears we can add French Bulldogs.
A Pinole resident and bulldog named Chanel found this out the hard way when several men forced open the front door of a home in the 500 block of Sunnyview Drive at 12:36 p.m. on Nov. 17. The occupant reported being held at gunpoint inside the residence while the thieves ransacked her home, eventually making off with several objects – and Chanel.
Pinole police said the suspects fled the scene in a stolen black Dodge Charger, which the CHP spotted traveling westbound on I-80 near Fitzgerald Drive. A pursuit was terminated due to safety concerns, but shortly thereafter, the Charger crashed near University Avenue.
Three suspects fled the crash scene but were quickly found and arrested, according to police. Officers found a rifle, two pistols, and items taken during the robbery in the Charger but Chanel, it appeared, had run off.
Police identified the gunmen as Asim Sami and Keomi Branch, both 18 and from Oakland, and 19-year-old Sierra Smith of Richmond. Investigators said the trio admitted their involvement in the robbery and they were booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on robbery and weapons charges.
Chanel was subsequently located by a concerned citizen, had her address revealed after a scan of an implanted microchip, and police were able to return her to her worried owner.
What a good ending!
Now they want our dogs.
Recently leaving Target I was parked next to a young woman with an adorable French Bulldog. I think I’m as non-threatening looking and boring as anyone, and I had my 12 year old son with me to boot, so when I asked if we could pet the dog I wasn’t surprised she happily agreed and let us have a few minutes. However, before we left she made sure to open her trunk in front of me and I could see the 3 firearm cases. How sad you have to pack heat to have one of those dogs these days. Yikes!