Reality TV star promises mercy if store burglar turns himself in
EDGEWATER» Duane “Dog” Chapman of “Dog the Bounty Hunter” fame stood in front of his late wife’s store Friday, promising mercy to a burglar who recently stole items from the shop, including mementos of Beth Chapman, who died in June of cancer.
As afternoon traffic streamed by on busy Sheridan Boulevard, Chapman expressed brief moments of pain and sorrow as he talked about the Monday night break-in, of items stolen and of his wife.
Chapman said he would show mercy to the burglar if he turned himself over to police, promising to drop criminal charges and to help the burglar find a job. Chapman talked of his love for Beth and Colorado; they’re both natives.
“It’s important for me to be here because it is our building. It was actually my wife’s,” Chapman said. “My message to the guy is — if you turn yourself in within the next 48 hours, I will not press charges. I will try to get you probation and a job.”
Chapman, the star of a longtime reality television series in which he and a team, including Beth, hunted fugitives in Hawaii and Colorado, said Friday that he has been working with police in Colorado for many years.
He said he’s confident that one way or another the burglar will be caught.
“This person will be caught very soon,” he said.
Earlier on Friday, Chapman offered a “large cash reward” for information leading to an arrest.
As Chapman spoke, people driving by leaned on car horns. They rolled down windows and shouted out: “We love you, Dog!”
As the news conference wound down, two young men, pedestrians, rushed Chapman with their right hand extended: “Dog, will you shake my hand?” Chapman obliged.
Edgewater Police Chief John Mackey said the burglar, at about 10:10 p.m. Monday, used a large rock to smash a glass front door and gain entry to the business, Free as a Bird Bail Bonds at 2547 Sheridan Blvd.
The man wore a large backpack and stuffed it with a variety of items before fleeing.
Beyond arranging bail bonds, the store sold Tshirts, jackets, hats, artwork, video discs, coffee cups and books.
Police have multiple images of the burglar from surveillance cameras at nearby businesses.
On a storefront window of Dog’s shop, someone had written “RIP Beth” in white marker.
“A lot of Beth’s valuables, all that is gone,” Chapman said.
When asked which item he would want back most, Chapman paused, became a bit emotional and replied: “Her Taser.”
Wearing his recognizable dark clothing, a zip-up jacket with the zipper way down, designer wraparound sunglasses and his long, blond hair combed back behind his head and flowing down his back, Chapman spoke of his faith and justice.
“I talked to God, and he told me: ‘Put your faith in the cops. Don’t do anything at all,’ ” Chapman said of his approach to the apprehension of the burglar.
“I believe a lot in the Bible. The Bible says when you steal from the dead, it is an unforgivable sin,” Chapman said.
“I got a lot of things going on in my life right now. I’m trying to get pictures out of my mind. It’s very sad.”
Edgewater police said they have been fielding phone calls from the national media about the burglary.
They’re hoping that surveillance images will help lead to a suspect and an arrest.
Anyone with information about the burglary or a suspect is asked to call 303-2350500.