Watch CBS News

Actress Tricia O'Kelley Says Dognapped Pooch Is Home Safe

[Update: Saturday, 5 p.m. O'Kelley reports Walter is home safe and sound. Details to come]

LOS FELIZ (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles police Friday continued to search for a man suspected in the dognapping of a 5-pound deaf Yorkie.

The missing pooch named Walter was taken from Tricia O'Kelley's Los Feliz home.

The accomplished Hollywood actress noticed Walter missing from the family's yard on Thursday and then received a call from a blocked number.

"I totally knew the second I heard the guy's voice that he was not a good guy," she said.

O'Kelley said that's when things went from bad to worse.

"It was like a movie. 'I want $1,000 and I want you to post flyers that say Reward: $1,000,'" she said.

The family made flyers and contacted police who planned to send a plainclothes officer with them to a Hollywood Chevron to make the exchange when the suspect called and said he saw police.

"My husband said, 'What are you talking about? I'm still posting the flyers that you told me to post.' And that's when he said, 'You're lying to me and I'm [expletive] keeping your dog'," she said.

It turned out the suspect called from a 7-Eleven payphone in North Hollywood but likely had it scouted and the police car … a bad coincidence, CBS2's Serene Branson reports.

O'Kelley feels this isn't the first time they've done this but Walter is not puppy. He's an older dog with health issues.

"I've had him since he was two months old and he could fit into my hand. I've had him longer than my children. Longer than my husband," she said.

Walter is microchipped. The family is just asking that he be turned into a shelter or veterinary office. No questions asked.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact LAPD Hollywood detectives.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.