Man arrested for stealing puppy during SE DC burglary

WASHINGTON — A D.C. man was arrested for stealing a puppy after breaking into a Southeast home in December of last year.

Dante Gardner, 34, is charged with burglary in connection with the kidnapping of the 7-month-old dog named “Lola.”

On Monday, December 31, 2023, at 7:25 p.m., two people began knocking on the door of an apartment on Atlantic Street in Southeast DC. When someone inside opened the door, the two suspects forced their way inside and assaulted that person. One of the suspects walked to the back of the apartment and picked up Lola, saying they were going to “take the dog.”

As they left, the two suspects walked to another apartment and began knocking on their door. This person was hit in the face with a gun when he opened the door. One of the suspects then hid a camera nearby, allowing the other suspect to enter the upstairs apartment.

Police said the two suspects were last seen running on Atlantic Street.

The puppy was then reunited with its owner on January 2.

Detectives are still searching for the second suspect in this break-in.

Anyone who knows more about dognapping should take no action but call police at (202) 727-9099 or text your report to the department's tip line at 50411. The Metropolitan Police Department is currently offering a reward of up to up to $1,000 to any person who provides information that leads to the arrest and indictment of the person or persons responsible for a crime committed in the District of Columbia.

Do you have a tip about this or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing [email protected].

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