Jazzy the Chihuahua was returned to her owners Thursday morning, after an Albany police detective found her safe and sound in a local woman’s apartment.
The dog and a ball python had been stolen from an Albany family during a burglary on Monday.
“We got her back,” exclaimed Casey Stradley, as her husband hugged Jazzy at the police station.
But the reunion wasn’t completely joyful: Son Gajen, age 7, hung his head and cried. On Tuesday, his snake, Killer, was found in the 1700 block of Geary Street S.E. The ball python, dumped in a plastic bag on the sidewalk, was dead.
David Stradley, Gajen’s dad, assured his son that he would get another snake.
Jazzy was found after police received a tip from Kathy Graveline, 59, who saw the dog Tuesday night outside her apartment doorstep in the 1500 block of Geary Circle S.E.
After seeing news coverage about Jazzy on Wednesday, she called police to report her information.
A neighbor of Graveline’s, Sharon Anderson, 59, ended up taking Jazzy inside and out of the cold and rain on Tuesday.
“It was terrible out. ... I couldn’t just close the door and let her stay out there whimpering,” Anderson said. “She stayed here three nights. I didn’t know what to do with her. I was going to take her to the humane society, but I don’t have transportation.”
On Thursday morning, a detective talked with the woman who called in the tip, then knocked on Anderson’s door. Jazzy started yipping and yapping from inside.
“I’m so glad that the puppy is home,” Anderson said.
The man who allegedly committed the burglary, Blaze McCormick, 39, of Brownsville, remains behind bars.
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| Blaze McCormick |
McCormick is a former friend of the Stradleys, who said he was acting vindictively against them. He had recently broken up with a friend of theirs.
Linn County Jail logs indicate that McCormick is being held on charges of first-degree burglary, first-degree theft and resisting arrest. His bail is set at $25,000.
David Stradley asked the police Thursday if McCormick would face an animal abuse charge for the death of Killer, and police weren’t sure if that was a possibility.
(Democrat Herald - Oct 26, 2012)
