Missing Companion Dog Named “Maximus” NR15098rh

UPDATE April 1, 2015 Updated: On March 31, 2015 around 10 a.m., a “Good Samaritan” called the Los Angeles Police Department and informed officers she had turned in a dog matching the description of “Maximus” into the Los Angeles City Department Animal Regulation after she found “Maximus” roaming the streets. On April 1, 2015, Newton Area Detectives along with victim responded to the The Los Angeles City Department Animal Regulation and “Maximus” was reunited with his owner in good condition.

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department Newton detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects responsible for the theft of “Maximus”.

On March 21, 2015, around 3 a.m., the victim parked her vehicle in a parking lot in the 600 block of East Washington Boulevard, in the City of Los Angeles. She left her dog, a male Shitzu named “Maximus” inside of her vehicle and entered into a local restaurant.

A few minutes later, a male Hispanic peers inside the victim’s vehicle, opens the right front passenger door and peers in and closes the door. The two other males get in a white vehicle and pull alongside and stop. The first suspect opens the door of the victim’s vehicle a second time, reaches in, takes the dog and joins his male accomplices and leaves the location with the victim’s dog.

The victim works one on one with Special Needs children and uses the dog as a companion animal. The dog enjoys the company of children and is able to calm and soothe the children.

The loss of the dog is painful not only for the owner, but for the children who ask for Maximus and are especially saddened by the dog’s loss.

The first suspect is described as a male Hispanic, stands between 5 feet 7 inches tall to 5 feet 9 inches tall, stocky build, with close cropped hair with a widow’s peak and a mustache. He is wearing an oversized black shirt with script logo on the front and back, with what appears to be the state of California icon, along with baggy grey Dickies pants cut below the knee, white knee high socks and white tennis shoes.

The second suspect is described as a male Hispanic, stands between 5 feet and 8 inches tall to 5 feet 10 inches tall, stocky build, shaved head, and is wearing an oversized blue checked shirt with white stripes, baggy black pants and black tennis shoes. He also has a mustache.

The third suspect is described as a male Hispanic, stands between 5 feet 8 inches tall to 5 feet 10 inches tall, slim build with combover hair and close cropped sideburns. He is wearing a black or dark blue polo short sleeved t-shirt, grey pants and white tennis shoes. Suspect has a neatly trimmed goatee.

Suspects left in a white vehicle described as a newer sedan, possibly a 2008 to 2012 Chevy Malibu, 4 doors. Maximus has not been seen ever since the incident.

Anyone with information on the suspects or the dog may contact Newton Detectives at (323) 846-6592. During non-business hours or on the weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7(877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800)-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637(C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters”LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to www.LAPDOonline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.