Woman arrested for allegedly snatching dog after owner had seizure at Colorado 7-Eleven, police say
The suspect's act of dog-napping was caught on surveillance camera.
Authorities in Colorado have arrested a woman who allegedly snatched a dog after its owner suffered a medical emergency at a convenience store.
The 59-year-old victim had been feeling ill when he decided to go for a walk with his dog, named Sampson, or Sammy, to a 7-Eleven in Longmont on Tuesday evening, according to a Facebook post from the Longmont Police Department.
The man then suffered a seizure, and while he was being tended to by paramedics, a woman removed the chihuahua from the scene, police said. He later died.
The act of dog-napping was caught on surveillance camera, police said. Images released by the police department show a woman in a dark tank top and pants walking away from the parking lot, the dog trailing behind her on its leash.
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On Thursday morning, police arrested Melody Mellon, 30, after they were called to investigate a motor vehicle theft. During the investigation, Mellon was identified as the suspect who allegedly stole the pup and she was taken into custody on outstanding warrants, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest, police said.
She was also charged with the theft of the vehicle and issued a municipal summons for allegedly stealing Sampson, police said.
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Sampson was reunited with his family Wednesday afternoon after Longmont Police Department Deputy Chief Jeff Satur saw him walking along Main Street with a couple, police said.
Satur told CBS Denver affiliate KCNC that Sampson "stood out."
"I recognized him right away," Satur said.
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Satur then approached the couple, who told him that a woman gave them the dog.
Sampson's reunion with the family was "emotional," police said.
"He was thrilled to see them," a police Facebook post said.