Man Charged With Grand Theft of Puppy
A 40-year-old man faces a grand theft charge after allegedly stealing a 6-month-old American Bully puppy in Redlands.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Property Crime
Redlands police charged a 40-year-old man with grand theft for allegedly stealing a 6-month-old American Bully puppy on Oct. 7. The dog was recovered and returned to its owners after police located the suspect.
Why it matters
The case shows how a videotaped theft and a prior inquiry about the animal helped investigators identify and locate the suspect quickly. For Redlands residents, it is a reminder that high-value pets can be targeted in apartment communities.
The 40-year-old man pleaded not guilty via video at San Bernardino County Superior Court in Rancho Cucamonga and denied a potential sentencing enhancement for a prior felony conviction. The case remains pending in court.
The players
San Bernardino County Superior Court
The county's trial court handling felony criminal proceedings, where the suspect entered his plea by video arraignment in Rancho Cucamonga.
Redlands Police Department
The municipal law enforcement agency that investigated the theft, identified the suspect, and recovered the puppy.
The details
A resident of an apartment in the 100 block of West Pennsylvania Avenue reported the theft to Redlands police on Oct. 8. The theft was videotaped, and an officer later found a man matching the suspect's description riding a bicycle before locating the dog in an apartment in the 1100 block of Orange Street.
Timeline
Oct. 7: The puppy theft occurred and was captured on video.
Oct. 8: The theft was reported to Redlands police, and the suspect was located the following day.
Wednesday, Oct. 14: The suspect pleaded not guilty at San Bernardino County Superior Court.
Legal Context
High-value dog thefts have drawn growing attention from police in California as the prices of designer breeds have climbed. This case reflects how prosecutors pursue grand theft charges when an animal's value exceeds the statutory threshold.
Residents of apartment complexes should be aware that high-value pets can be targeted, and keeping animals secured and monitored may reduce the risk. Owners who have had inquiries about buying a dog should note whether a prospective buyer later visits the property.
The takeaway
Keeping valuable pets secured and documenting their appearance and ownership can help police recover them quickly if they are stolen. Video evidence and prompt reporting were key factors in locating the dog in this case.
Further reading
Explore more Property Crime coverage to see how theft cases like this one are handled across the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Bulletin.
