APD searching for suspect who allegedly stole puppy
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is seeking public help to find a suspect who allegedly stole a French Bulldog puppy over the weekend at a northeast Austin Walmart, the agency said in a news release Thursday. The puppy was reunited with its family Thursday.
On Feb. 2, APD said the alleged robbery happened at the Walmart, located at 1030 Norwood Park Blvd. around 5 p.m.
Police identified the suspect as Servando Cruz Jr., who was allegedly involved in “various criminal offenses in the Central Texas area.”
According to police, Cruz Jr. drove into the Walmart parking lot in a red Corvette, “displayed a handgun to the victims and stole their French Bulldog puppy.” Officers found the Corvette “a short distance away.” When they attempted to “detain” Cruz Jr., he drove away from the scene “at a high rate of speed.”
The next day, APD SWAT, the Violent Crimes Task Force and robbery unit “executed a search warrant” at a home in Dale, Texas.
When the property was searched, police said officials safely recovered the stolen puppy, found two firearms — with one of those reported as stolen — and a red Corvette Stingray, which was reported stolen out of Leander.
APD believes the Corvette was “involved in criminal offenses in the Central Texas area.” If anyone recognized the Corvette, they can contact APD with that information, the release said.
Cruz Jr. is wanted for three felony warrants — two counts of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and one count of evading in a motor vehicle, according to police.
Anyone with any information can contact APD’s robbery unit at 512-974-5092.
