Christopher Young, 18, of Washington, D.C., must have really wanted a dog. So much so that he snatched one in an armed robbery, authorities said.
But instead of a furry companion, he’s going to have burly friends in the pen as his buddies. He was sentenced to four years in prison for the canine caper.
According to evidence in the case, just after 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 5, Young approached a woman who was walking her Yorkshire Terrier, dog to the rich and famous and wannabes, in the area of 5th and Kennedy NE.
Young approached, flashed a handgun and said, “Give me your dog. Yorkies cost a lot of money.”
He then grabbed the dog and dashed off toward Chillum Place NE.
The victim yelled for help. She also noticed that Young dropped his phone on Kennedy Street directly next to where the dog’s leash had fallen. While Young ran, the pooch managed to effect its escape and made its way home.
D.C. police officers assigned to investigate the case determined that the dropped phone belonged to Young. They also found out that said suspect had been ordered to wear a GPS device on his ankle in connection with another bit of trouble.
Officers obtained Young’s GPS records, which placed him directly in the area of 5th and Kennedy at the time of the dog robbery, as well as in the flight path described by witnesses.
He was busted and charged.
Young pled guilty in March in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced to four years earlier this week by the Honorable Robert I. Richter.
Upon completion of his prison term, Young will be placed on five years of supervised release.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen commended those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Debra McPherson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Natalia Medina, who prosecuted the case.
It could not be determined if any of them are pet owners.
The name of the dog was not released.