The streets of the Castro district witnessed a peculiar theft last Wednesday, when a man allegedly scooped up a French Bulldog named Hank and dashed away into the night. According to a news release by the San Francisco Police Department, the incident occurred at around 11:44 PM on the 400 block of Castro Street. The victim described Hank as a tan, 4-year-old dog, valued at over $950, urging anyone who might spot him to call 911 immediately.
The investigation quickly gathered pace, with the SFPD Burglary Unit finally identifying a suspect in the dog's disappearance. Dante Shaw, a 44-year-old man from Oakland, was arrested after police developed sufficient probable cause to secure a search warrant for his vehicle and, upon inspection, uncovered evidence linked to the dog's pilfering. The collar of justice was firmly fastened around Shaw's neck on Wednesday, when officers detained him at the intersection of San Carlos Ave. and High St.
Having been booked at the San Francisco County Jail on a felony charge of grand theft, Shaw's apprehension is perhaps a balm to the owner's anxiety over Hank's fate. And while this may appear to be the story's resolution, the SFPD reminds the public that this investigation remains open and active. They ask anyone with additional information to come forward and contact the department by phone at 1-415-575-4444 or to text their tips to TIP411, initiating messages with 'SFPD'.
