San Jose police are stepping up their plea for help in finding Lady, a gray female French bulldog stolen during a May 1 burglary at her owner's home, saying the dognapping is now tied to a separate shooting. Lady has a distinctive pink scar under her chin and was taken along with thousands of dollars in cash and other property, according to investigators. While detectives say they have a suspect in custody in connection with the burglary and a later gunfire incident, the dog is still missing and police say they are counting on community tips to bring her home.
In a news release, the San Jose Police Department called the case an active investigation and urged anyone with information to come forward. Officers highlighted Lady's identifying scar and asked neighbors and nearby businesses to review recent surveillance footage and activity on surrounding blocks. Police emphasized that anyone who believes they have located the dog should avoid confronting possible suspects and should instead contact authorities so officers can handle the situation safely.
Suspect Arrested In Livermore Traffic Stop
According to the San Jose Police Department's news page, investigators linked a suspect to both the May 1 burglary and a May 22 shooting. Livermore officers arrested the man during a June 20 traffic stop, where officers say they also recovered the firearm believed to have been used in the Hillsdale Avenue shooting.
The suspect, identified by police as 25-year-old Christopher Ryan Jimenez, was initially booked into Santa Rita Jail before being extradited to the Santa Clara County Main Jail on June 22. SJPD says Jimenez is being held on suspicion of burglary, assault with a deadly weapon and shooting into an occupied vehicle while detectives continue to search for Lady.
Gunfire On Hillsdale Avenue
Officers responded shortly after 3 PM on May 22 to reports of a gunshot in the 100 block of Hillsdale Avenue, where they found an adult male who was uninjured, a vehicle hit by multiple rounds and several shell casings scattered at the scene, according to the East Bay Times. The outlet reported that the SJPD Real Time Intelligence Center helped identify vehicles possibly connected to the shooting, giving detectives new leads.
Investigators say those leads ultimately helped them connect the Hillsdale Avenue shooting back to the May 1 burglary, tightening the focus of the investigation even as Lady remains missing.
Why Frenchies Are Targets
French bulldogs have become prime targets in thefts across the Bay Area in recent years because of their popularity and high resale value, a pattern detailed in regional coverage. The San Francisco Chronicle has chronicled several high-profile cases that pushed the issue into the public spotlight and prompted wider police warnings.
That trend has made many owners more cautious about leaving small, expensive breeds unattended and has encouraged measures like microchipping and more secure handling of pets that might attract thieves.
How To Help
Anyone with information about Lady's whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Arredondo #5129 at [email protected] or Detective Soria #4793 at [email protected], or call 408-277-4401 or 408-277-4161, according to the San Jose Police Department's release. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers.
Officers again stress that if someone thinks they have spotted Lady, they should not approach possible suspects or attempt a rescue on their own. Instead, they are urged to call the police so officers can respond and investigate safely.
Legal Notes
Authorities describe the suspect as being held on suspicion, meaning prosecutors may choose to file formal charges at a later stage. Being held on suspicion is not a conviction, and any alleged crimes will be decided in court if the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office files charges.
For now, investigators say their immediate priority is finding Lady while the broader criminal case moves forward through the legal system.
