What would you do if your rare, 2-year-old dog was missing for days before someone called you to say they found him -- but you'd need to pony up $500 to see your pet again?
That's what one Shakopee couple had to face when their rare, Staffordshire bull terrier named Opie disappeared from their back yard.
Juan Arevalo told FOX 9 News he originally got the family's four-legged friend in Montana, and he and his wife have grown very attached to the well-behaved pup. That's why the two of them put up signs and posters throughout Shakopee when Opie went missing in May.
After their beloved pooch had been missing for a few days, the Arevalos got a call from a man who claimed he could get Opie, but only if the owners were willing to shell out $500 in ransom.
The couple agreed to the deal -- but they called police on the way to pick Opie up.
Investigators later found that the man who had Opie lived just a block and a half away from the Arevalos, and prosecutors have now charged him and his girlfriend with felony theft since the dog is worth more than $1,000.
Both 19-year-old Nghia My Mai and his 18-year-old girlfriend, Mimi Nguyen Cao, have already made their first court appearances and are due back for another hearing at the end of the month.
NOTE: There's a local organization that helps people retrieve lost dogs through social media. It's called Lost Dogs MN. You can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LDoMN
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:07:03 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:05 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:05:21 GMT
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z."
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z." Pitt stunned the crowd at the Clearview Cinemas when he walked in just before the start of the special screening.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:23:09 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:28 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:28:29 GMT
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:40 AM EDT2013-05-23 09:40:39 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:08:29 GMT
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:46:23 GMT
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
