Sleuths reunite family with their stolen puppy
Police say the plans of a Christmas Grinch were foiled thanks to social media-savvy Calgarians.
Around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, Brad Hatt stopped at a 7-Eleven store in the southeast community of Copperfield on his way to work. Hatt left the vehicle running because he was carrying precious cargo — his family’s 19-week-old Labrador collie named Bella.
But in the short time Hatt was in the store, police said someone on Santa’s naughty list jumped in his running vehicle and drove off with Bella still on board. The Hatt’s truck uses a keyless entry and ignition fob and Hatt thought the truck would be safe left running because he had the key with him.
But police say to never leave a vehicle running because, as the Hatt’s discovered, even keyless vehicles can be driven without the fob.
“He was in there for maybe five minutes,” Brad’s wife Mellisa Hatt said. “We didn’t know that you could drive the truck without the key in it.”
Police came to the scene of the theft and took a statement from Hatt. Determined to get their dog back, Brad’s wife Melissa Hatt took to social media to help spread the word about their stolen pooch in hopes someone would notify police.
Melissa said their dog Bella has become part of their family in the two months they’ve owned her. Melissa said her kids had been begging her for a dog, and Melissa was heartbroken with the thought of telling her kids that their pet had been stolen.
“I finally give in and we got one, and now how do you explain to a four-year-old that some bad guy took their dog?” Melissa said.
Luckily Melissa’s plea for help was answered after her post was spread online over 300 times in less than two hours. In a statement, police said “tips were delivered like presents on Christmas Day,” leading officers to the community of Mahogany where the abandoned vehicle was located “parked liked Santa’s Sleigh.”
Inside the still running truck was Bella, patiently waiting for her owners.
Melissa said there were some Christmas presents in the truck which were never recovered, but the best gift of all was getting Bella back safe and sound.
“I’m absolutely shocked how many amazing people there are in this world that cared so much.”
Police said it takes less than a minute for a thief to steal a running vehicle, and the Hatt’s ordeal is a good reminder to Calgarians to always be on the lookout for vehicle thieves and always keep an eye on their keys.
To make sure you avoid being a car theft victim this holiday season, police said:
Never leave your car unattended while the keys are in the ignition, even if your vehicle is locked. Don’t leave keys anywhere inside your vehicle. Report any suspicious activity or behaviour, such as someone trying door handles on parked vehicles. Remove garage openers from vehicles, thieves can use them to enter your home. Don’t leave valuables in your vehicle.