Metro Nashville detectives have now arrested a third man in connection with the Jan. 6 armed theft of a woman’s bulldog in East Nashville, capping weeks of follow-up work after three people allegedly pulled up, flashed a gun and drove off with her dog.
How Police Say It Unfolded
According to WSMV, officers were called around noon on Jan. 6 to South 5th Street in the Cayce Homes neighborhood after a woman reported that three men in a black Nissan Altima surrounded her while she was out with her brown and white bulldog. One suspect pulled a handgun, ordered her not to move and grabbed the dog before all three took off in the Altima, the station reported.
Arrests So Far
Detectives identified 27-year-old Justin Ward as the alleged driver and booked him on an aggravated robbery charge on Jan. 16, then arrested 29-year-old Tondrique Fitzgerald on Jan. 21 on an aggravated robbery charge as well, WSMV reported. An affidavit cited by the station includes the threat police say one of the suspects used during the confrontation: “Don't make no moves. Where you get that dog? That's my dog. Give me my dog.”
Third Arrest Came After Follow-Up Work
As first reported by WKRN News, officers on Tuesday took a third person into custody in connection with the case. Authorities say the investigation remains active while detectives continue to develop evidence and sift through tips.
A Growing Problem And How To Protect Pets
High-value pet thefts, including armed grab-and-go snatchings of small, easily transported breeds, have drawn national attention in recent years, with similar robberies documented in other cities. The Washington Post has outlined how social media and online markets can play a role in those crimes. Veterinary groups urge owners to microchip their pets and keep registration information up to date, and the AVMA notes that microchipped animals are returned to their families at substantially higher rates than unchipped pets.
Legal Exposure
Under Tennessee law, robbery carried out with a deadly weapon is treated as a serious felony, and aggravated robbery can bring significant prison time depending on the facts of the case and the defendant’s record. Legal summaries of state robbery statutes indicate that aggravated robbery is typically prosecuted as a Class B felony, with potential penalties that may include multi-year prison terms and fines, according to Findlaw.
The Metro Nashville Police Department says the investigation is ongoing and has not released additional details about potential further charges or upcoming court dates for the newly arrested suspect. This story will be updated as officials release more information.
