Dognapper holds Sunnyvale Collie for Ransom, Police Turn the Tables with Undercover Sting

The residents of Sunnyvale, California witnessed an incredible story of a dognapping and the subsequent rescue of a bearded collie named Norm, who was held for a $1,000 ransom. According to a riveting article published in the San Francisco Chronicle, on July 10, 2023, Norm escaped his caretaker's yard and soon found himself the center of an undercover sting operation involving the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety.

As reported by CBS News, it all began when Norm's owner, Zak Akin, received a phone call from a man claiming he had found the dog and demanded a $1,000 reward for his return. The situation escalated, and soon enough, the family and the Sunnyvale police teamed up to rescue Norm from the dognapper's clutches.

In an attempt to negotiate with the extortionist and buy some time, the dog sitter made offers of vodka and a cannabis cookie while desperately pleading for Norm's safe return, as detailed in the San Francisco Chronicle. The Sunnyvale police assigned Officer Kevin Morton to the case, a self-proclaimed "big dog guy." Under his guidance, the dog sitter orchestrated an impromptu undercover money drop. Sunnyvale officers quickly identified the suspect and scouted out the scene at a kabob market, where the dognapper had agreed to meet the dog sitter for the exchange.

The undercover operation culminated in a thrilling conclusion, one reminiscent of a Hollywood movie. As the red Tesla carrying the dognapper pulled up at the kabob market, Sunnyvale officers waited in anticipation. Suddenly, the dog sitter caught a glimpse of Norm's fluffy face in the car, signaling the officers to surround the vehicle and arrest 21-year-old Ahmad Rahish Najib, the alleged dognapper. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Najib told them he never intended to collect any money and was merely trying to teach the family the "value" of their pet.

 

On 7/10 a Family reported their dog, Norm, was lost & that an attempt was made to extort money from the Family in exchange for Norm. DPS was contacted & a fake meeting was set up. Officers arrested the suspect & rescued Norm, who was reunited with his Family! pic.twitter.com/XlWvJHhMd0

— Sunnyvale DPS (@SunnyvaleDPS) July 12, 2023

 

After the successful sting operation, Norm was safely returned to his overjoyed family, while Najib was arrested on suspicion of extortion and grand theft, per CBS News. Zak Akin, Norm’s owner, expressed his gratitude to the police, stating, "We're so thankful to the police for what they did and were able to do what they needed to do so quickly."