miami – A Miami couple were arrested Monday for stealing a Marathon couple’s French bulldogs and demanding $1,000 for their return, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said.
Rainier Fuentes, 33, and Lillian Dominguez, 26, face charges including mass theft, handling of stolen property and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, officials said.
A woman told police that she was receiving messages from unidentified persons demanding money for the safe return of her husband’s female French bulldog/service dog vendor.
She said that the dog had dropped her at home earlier that day. She started campaigning in the 5th Avenue neighborhood and started posting on Facebook with no luck. Soon after, he received calls and calls from the suspects. Texts began pouring in, later identified as Fuentes, and Dominguez said he had a dog. The suspects demanded $1,000 for the safe return of the dog. They were to meet in Miami on June 26 for an exchange. Agreed,” the officials said.
“The victim said she would pay whatever price and the suspects had instructed her to meet him at Deadland Mall for $1,000 or she would never see the dog again.”
The woman agreed to the meeting.
Investigators said Fuentes and Dominguez were stopped at Dadeland Mall by Miami-Dade police and the sailor was returned to his owners.
