How scary!
A Kellyville woman who placed a for-sale ad for a Chihuahua received an unexpected response from a would-be purchaser, who allegedly pulled a gun and demanded the dog, saying she needed love. The Kings Cross woman, 26, contacted dog owner Ashleigh Johnson, 24, at 9am yesterday in response to an advertisement in the Trading Post. The woman made an appointment to buy the eight-week-old puppy, the last of a litter of four, and arrived at the house in Perkins Avenue, Kellyville, in Sydney's north-west, at 11.30am. A man waited outside in a car with an obscured number plate. Diego the Chihuahua in the media spotlight after an alleged attempted robbery. Photo: Natalie Roberts, Hills News Police said the woman was seated in the lounge room and holding the puppy, named Diego, when she reached into a dog carry bag and pulled out a replica of a police-issue Glock pistol. She said she was leaving without paying for the dog, advertised for $1500. "She said she didn't want anyone to get hurt, but we had all of our family from Newcastle there and there were kids around," Ms Johnson said. Ashleigh Johnson with her dog Diego. Photo: Natalie Roberts, Hills News Ms Johnson's security-guard father Graham, 59, was sitting next to the woman and seized the gun, restraining her. "If it wasn't serious it would be kind of laughable," Mr Johnson said, explaining that the woman seemed friendly and said she was an animal trainer from Zimbabwe. "I was asking her: 'What are you doing this for?' If someone is going to bring out a weapon, you think they are going to use it. "I kept her talking until I got the opportunity to get the gun. There was no doubt in my mind that it was real." Ms Johnson ran into the next room to get help from her brother Blake, an off-duty police officer from The Hills Local Area Command, who helped to restrain the woman. She said the woman started crying and became apologetic and remorseful, explaining she was dying of cancer and "needed love and had to have this dog", but had no money. Police said the case was a reminder that people selling items should meet potential buyers in a public place, preferably with a family member or friend. "We were complacent and fell into trap," Ms Johnson said. "It was a surreal experience and I'm still having trouble dealing with it, trying to register that image. It was like a movie." Police allege there was also a hunting knife in the woman's bag. Inspector David Hogg, duty officer at Castle Hill police, said the two women did not know each other. "The puppies were advertised for sale and contact had been made with the seller and they arranged a meeting time so [the 26-year-old] could come and look at the dogs," Inspector Hogg said. She was charged with robbery while armed, carrying a knife in a public place and possession of a prohibited weapon. She will appear in Parramatta Local Court on October 15. Diego was not injured and is still for sale. |
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I saw that too! 
Who's want to steal a Chihuahua anyway? Now a sheepie on the other hand... |
That is frightening!  |
| Wow... what a crazy event. |
| Similar story happened to a friend last month. They took more than just the English Bulldog puppy. Took wallets, cell phones, laptops. Had them stay in a bathroom while all this was going on.
They were caught a few days later because these home invaders used a county issued credit card. One is a 17 year old minor! !! Happy ending.....The puppy was safe and with them when caught. |
| What a horrible story. |
**Bally** wrote: Who's want to steal a Chihuahua anyway? Now a sheepie on the other hand...
The article says that sellers should meet buyers in public, but if I was buying a dog and the breeder wanted to meet in an different location, I would be suspicious of what kind of conditions the pup is coming from. I guess it could be an initial meet and greet in public, then go to see the residence. |
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