March 14, 2007

Two Charged in Wilshire Area Dognapping Case

LOS ANGELES – Two young Los Angeles men have been charged with stealing purebred Yorkshire Terrier puppies and an adult dog from the owners’ Wilshire area home last month, the District Attorney’s office announced today.

The defendants, currently free on bail, are due to appear in Los Angeles Superior Court for arraignment on April 4.

Case No. BA318532 charged the pair with four counts of first-degree residential robbery, four counts of grand theft-dog and count of first-degree burglary with a person present. The complaint alleged that one of the defendants – Troy Cabral -- personally used a handgun during commission of the crime. All counts carried the allegation that the crimes were committed while a principal in the offenses was armed with a handgun.

Cabral, 23 (dob 8-28-1983), and Ryan Jason Betton, 19 (dob 1-12-1988), were arrested by Los Angeles police earlier this month. Each was released on $100,000 bail.

Authorities said the puppies, which had been advertised for sale at $2,500 each, and the adult dog were recovered and reunited with their owners. The animals were taken at gunpoint on Feb. 23 from the owners’ home in the 200 block of North Manhattan Place in the Wilshire area of Los Angeles.