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Help Find Family’s Pet, Tequila

Mission Hills.  Tequila is a 5-pound Toy Poodle and a cherished member of the Molina family.  The Molinas’ dog was taken from their house on Pinney Street on March 5, 2014, during a day-time burglary.  Now detectives are trying to solve the crime, which feels more like a kidnapping than a burglary to the victims.

“Some callous person broke in through a window and ransacked the home,” said Officer Kelli Pickart, who is investigating the burglary for LAPD’s Mission Police Station.  “It was bad enough to take this family’s computer, but to take their precious pet; it’s really maddening.”

This burglary is the third within the last year where a burglary victim’s dog was taken as part of the crook’s haul.  “We’ve been lucky to find two other dogs and return them to the owners,” Officer Pickart explained.

While owners might think of their pets as family, under the law, they count as property.  “Tequila was valued at $600, but she is priceless to the Molinas,” Officer Pickart said.  “The family has offered a reward for the return of Tequila.  We think some unsuspecting person may have received Tequila as a recent gift from a friend, perhaps even from the burglar who took her.”

The Molinas will grant interviews to reporters.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Officer Kelli Pickart, Mission Burglary Table at (818) 838-9864.  Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.

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