Arizona: Mesa dog groomer, boyfriend arrested in case of missing dog, dog still not found

ARIZONA -- An employee at a dog grooming store and her boyfriend were arrested for stealing a dog from a customer, police said, but the tiny dog is still missing.

Izabella Santa Bujanda, 20, who worked at Animal Clipper, admitted to concealing BeBe by wrapping her with a towel and walking out the back door with her last Saturday, according to police.

She then handed the small dog to Anthony Marc Barrera, who was waiting in a car behind the business.

When the pair heard the crime was getting news coverage, Barrera drove BeBe to a neighborhood in Las Sendas, possibly near Power and Thomas roads in Mesa, and dumped the tiny three-pound dog near a front yard of a house, police said.

The dog still hasn't been found.

Police said Barrera admitted to what he did.

Both Bujanda and Barrera have been charged with one count of felony theft, police said.

The dog's owner, Chrissy Willingham, told The Arizona Republic she is holding out hope BeBe will be found.

"I would just like the community to know that although I have some relief, I’m still wanting and needing my BeBe," Willingham said.

"Please keep an eye out for BeBe as she is still missing."

If anyone has seen or found BeBe, please call the Mesa Police Department at 480-644-2211 or call Silent Witness at either 480-WITNESS (948-6377) or 1-800-343-TIPS (8477).

(AZ Family - March 1, 2018)

Earlier:

• Arizona: Mesa pet owner distraught after dog vanished from groomers