CHICAGO (WLS) — A 46-year-old Chicago man has been charged after allegedly stealing a van filled with dogs on Tuesday on Chicago’s North Side, according to Chicago police.
Edwin Herrera faces charges including possessing a stolen vehicle, cruelty to animals, criminal trespassing, and more, the CPD said Wednesday.
The theft occurred at approximately 8:55 a.m. outside Animal Lovers Pet Salon on North Clybourn, police reported. The dogs had been dropped off after spending time at Markay’s Castle of the Dogs, a dog boarding facility located in Tippecanoe, Indiana.
David Cox, owner of the boarding facility, was responsible for dropping off the pets in Lincoln Park. He left the vehicle running to keep the animals comfortable while he went inside with the dogs’ belongings.
“I just went inside with the dogs’ belongings and turned around to come out and get the dogs to take them inside, and the van was gone,” Cox said.
Authorities said the thief discarded a cellphone — which Cox had left in the van — onto the street after stealing the vehicle.
Thanks to numerous social media posts about the theft, Chicago police were able to track down the 2021 blue and black transit van in an alley near Lakewood and Oakdale avenues in the Lakeview neighborhood. By the time police found the vehicle, its license plates had been changed.
Along with the dogs, the van contained some lawn equipment, an air mattress, and trash. Fortunately, all the dogs were unharmed and were quickly reunited with their owners.
The pet transport company has announced plans to implement additional security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Herrera was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.
[The video in the player above is from an earlier report.]
https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-man-edwin-herrera-charged-grooming-van-stolen-animal-lovers-pet-salon-north-clyborn-avenue-lincoln-park/18677907/
