WASHINGTON — Three teenagers are charged after a dog was reportedly stolen at gunpoint in Northeast D.C. on Wednesday.
Pablo, the 10-week-old Australian Shepherd, was taken from his owner at gunpoint while on a walk in the 2000 block of 8th Street, Northeast Wednesday evening.
Rick Oleka said he was outside the CVS, clutching tight to his puppy, waiting for his girlfriend, Abby Sevcika, to fill a prescription inside.
"A car pulled up to the intersection and four guys hopped out, all wearing masks, all wearing hoodies," he said. "The next thing you know, I look down and I feel a gun on my stomach and the guy saying, 'Give me your dog!'"
Abby Sevcika confirmed with WUSA9 Thursday night that Pablo has been found and brought home.
On Friday afternoon, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced in a press conference that seven people were arrested in connection with the incident, three of whom are juveniles.
Police also released the names of four adults arrested, but on Friday evening, the U.S. Attorney's Office in D.C. sent WUSA9 an email that said, "[The office] did not move forward today with charges against the four adults who were arrested." The U.S. Attorney's Office did not specify why the charges were dropped.
According to MPD, the teens arrested consist of the following individuals:
- a 14-year-old juvenile male from Southeast D.C.,
- a 15-year-old juvenile male from Lanham, MD
- a 17-year-old juvenile male from Northeast D.C.
They are facing charges of receiving stolen property. The 15-year-old arrested is also facing charges after MPD says investigators connected him to three other armed carjackings in D.C. that happened in one day on April 12.
Police credited finding Pablo to the Carjacking Task Force. Detectives found Pablo at a home in Northeast D.C.
While there have been arrests, police said at the Friday press conference that detectives are still investigating who was actually involved in taking Pablo from his owners at gunpoint.
"That is what the detectives are, as we speak, investigating," said Assistant Chief Morgan C. Kane.
MPD is still working on finding Bruno, a French bulldog that was also stolen at gunpoint. Police reported Wednesday night that they believe the same people who took Pablo are responsible for taking Bruno.
The one-year-old French bulldog is described as wearing a black collar and black leash.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department's Text Tip Line at 50411.
