Tonya
07-29-2004, 12:20 AM
http://www.thekcrachannel.com/news/3587107/detail.html?subid=10100243
Calaveras County Man Loses $10,000, Gets Beloved Pet Back
POSTED: 8:38 am PDT July 28, 2004
UPDATED: 11:54 am PDT July 28, 2004
VALLEY SPRINGS, Calif. -- A Calaveras County man is out $10,000 after "dognappers" took his beloved pet and demanded money to get him back.
Frank Compton, 80, lives alone with only his terrier "Sandy" to keep company. When the dog disappeared last week, Compton said he immediately knew something was wrong.
Compton posted a flier about the missing dog, and soon after got a phone call from two men whom police believe are "dognappers."
"They threatened and said 'We have your dog, we have Sandy, we have your little dog ... If you want him back, you have to give us $10,000'," Compton said.
The men told Compton to meet them at the Mokulumne River fish hatchery -- an isolated spot about 12 miles from where Compton lives. They followed him to the site, pulled a knife on him, and took his $10,000.
Compton returned home without Sandy, but shortly after he said he heard a car door slam.
"I didn't think much about it, but a minute later, I see Sandy dancing around the back yard. Talk about miracles ... miracles really do happen," Compton said.
Compton said he's now concentrating on tracking down those responsible for taking Sandy. He's even sketched out the face of one of the men.
Calaveras County Sheriff's Department Detective Chris Villegas said he believes the men live in the area.
"Ultimately, it would be nice to find this person and find them with $10,000 in their pocket ... but I doubt that's going to happen," Villegas said.
Villegas said the "dognappers" face serious felony charges, including elder abuse, extortion and robbery.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Calaveras County Sheriff's Department.
http://images.ibsys.com/2004/0728/3587181_200X150.jpghttp://images.ibsys.com/2004/0728/3587874.jpg
Calaveras County Man Loses $10,000, Gets Beloved Pet Back
POSTED: 8:38 am PDT July 28, 2004
UPDATED: 11:54 am PDT July 28, 2004
VALLEY SPRINGS, Calif. -- A Calaveras County man is out $10,000 after "dognappers" took his beloved pet and demanded money to get him back.
Frank Compton, 80, lives alone with only his terrier "Sandy" to keep company. When the dog disappeared last week, Compton said he immediately knew something was wrong.
Compton posted a flier about the missing dog, and soon after got a phone call from two men whom police believe are "dognappers."
"They threatened and said 'We have your dog, we have Sandy, we have your little dog ... If you want him back, you have to give us $10,000'," Compton said.
The men told Compton to meet them at the Mokulumne River fish hatchery -- an isolated spot about 12 miles from where Compton lives. They followed him to the site, pulled a knife on him, and took his $10,000.
Compton returned home without Sandy, but shortly after he said he heard a car door slam.
"I didn't think much about it, but a minute later, I see Sandy dancing around the back yard. Talk about miracles ... miracles really do happen," Compton said.
Compton said he's now concentrating on tracking down those responsible for taking Sandy. He's even sketched out the face of one of the men.
Calaveras County Sheriff's Department Detective Chris Villegas said he believes the men live in the area.
"Ultimately, it would be nice to find this person and find them with $10,000 in their pocket ... but I doubt that's going to happen," Villegas said.
Villegas said the "dognappers" face serious felony charges, including elder abuse, extortion and robbery.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Calaveras County Sheriff's Department.
http://images.ibsys.com/2004/0728/3587181_200X150.jpghttp://images.ibsys.com/2004/0728/3587874.jpg