A dog reported stolen by a San Francisco burglar has been reunited with its owner.
David Baker says Mochi, a female blue-nosed pit bull, was taken from his Gilbert Street home while he slept. After a massive social media outreach effort, Baker reports his dog has been found and the "criminal is in cuffs."
San Francisco Police Officer Grace Gatpandan told NBC Bay Area that Melissa Perna, 31, of San Francisco was arrested Monday at 8:50 p.m., and booked on count of felony burglary, felony possession of stolen property, and two misdemeanor narcotics. She also was cited for three local traffic warrants.
Someone spotted the dog, called 911, and police quickly spotted Perna and Mochi in the 300 block of Eddy Street.
The relationship between Perna and Baker, if there is any, is unknown and was not listed in the police report.
Baker had put out an urgent plea on social media for people to help find his pet.
“She’s the friendliest dog you’d ever meet,” Baker told reporters Monday. “I woke up and didn’t hear my dog anywhere and that’s very unusual.”
Baker said his dog was stolen from his apartment, along with his computer and other electronics.
Baker said a surveillance camera in the neighborhood captured a photo at the time of the burglary showing a woman walking with his dog and two bikes.
https://instagram.com/p/xyDhkIOLuG“It essentially feels like a kidnapping to me,” Baker said. “She was my child. She was taken away from my house.”
Baker said Mochi’s most recognizable markings are her two white back paws.
“I don’t care about my belongings at all,” he said. “If there’s a way to get my dog back, no questions asked, that’s fine.”
Local
Investigators said this case is very unusual.
NBC Bay Area staff contributed to this report.
