Thanks to the efforts of Long Beach Police Department officers and detectives, two stolen French bulldog puppies have been returned to their humans, and two people are under arrest on suspicion of grand theft and other crimes, according to the department.

On Nov. 3, officers responded to a call from a resident in the 1200 block of E. 7th Street. When they arrived, the resident told them that their two French bulldogs had been stolen from an outdoor kennel, according to police. Through their investigation, officers determined that a man had entered the property, taken the dogs, and left the scene, the LBPD said.

After following leads and attempting to identify suspects trying to sell the puppies, detectives found both dogs and returned them to their family, according to the LBPD. One puppy was recovered Friday evening, Nov. 4, and the other was rescued Tuesday morning, Nov. 8, police said.

police officer wearing sunglasses holds tan French bulldog puppy. Buildings are in background.
LBPD Officer Weber holding one of the rescued dogs. Photo courtesy of LBPD

The following individuals were arrested in connection with the crime, according to police:

  • Kevin Holloway, a 19-year-old resident of Long Beach, was booked on suspicion of burglary, grand theft of an animal and possession of a controlled substance. His bail was set at $50,000.
  • Juan Sanchez Medina, an 18-year-old resident of Long Beach, was booked on suspicion of burglary, grand theft of an animal, and possession of a controlled substance. His bail was set at $50,000.

The motive for the theft is unknown, and LBPD public information officer Brandon Fahey said that the investigation remains ongoing. However, French bulldogs are among the dog breeds that are stolen the most frequently because of their popularity. Unaltered French bulldogs are often sold at high prices or used for the breeding and sale of puppies.

“Regardless of the type of property involved, we encourage our community to follow the residential burglary safety tips listed on our website,” Fahey advised.

Additionally, please don’t leave your pets outdoors unsupervised, whether at home, outside a restaurant or café, or in a vehicle. Microchips are invaluable for identification, and spaying or neutering your pet can make them less attractive to would-be thieves.

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