Trading a $1,300 bike for some belly rubs may not seem like the best deal, but for a golden retriever in San Diego, it was a no brainer. In a comedic incident that took place on July 15 in Pacific Beach, a man allegedly stole a bicycle from a home's garage, all while taking a break from his criminal activities to play with the family's dog.
The brazen thief had already grabbed the bike and started to walk out when the golden retriever followed him out of the garage. Instead of ignoring the dog and making off with his loot, the man returned to the garage, parked the bike, and began playing with the friendly pup. The entire encounter, which lasted about a minute, was caught on video and later posted on social media by the San Diego Police Department (SDPD).
Bike Thief Gives Friendly Golden Retriever Belly Rubs Before Making Off with $1,300 Bike
by u/brooklynlad in sandiego
The video garnered mixed reactions from the public, with some users expressing sympathy for the dog, while others criticized the homeowner for leaving their garage open and unattended as seen in comments on a Reddit post. Despite the furry distraction, the thief eventually brought their focus back to the heist, leaving the property with the stolen bike, valued at an estimated $1,300 as reported by NBC San Diego.
SDPD Lt. Brian Brecht revealed that the police are still searching for the suspect and are soliciting tips from the public to assist in his apprehension. In light of this incident, Brecht provided a few security tips for the community, such as locking their houses, activating alarms, and informing neighbors when they're out of town per NBC San Diego.
The alleged thief in this case is described as a white male around 30 years old, wearing a blue and white hat, a gray shirt, and orange athletic shoes, and anyone with information is urged to contact the SDPD or Crime Stoppers.
