Feb. 21--Chicago police are on the prowl for a 4 1/2-year-old Shih Tzu that was missing after a pair of juveniles stole an SUV carrying the pooch outside of a west suburban convenience store earlier this week, officials said.
The suspects, two boys, were nabbed inside of the SUV near the Eisenhower Expressway at Austin Boulevard after 7:30 a.m. Saturday, days after the car and dog went missing, authorities said.
But as of Saturday, police had found no trace of the small dog named "Kayla," whose owner Ericka Moore had her vehicle stolen.
"I'm very hopeful Kayla will be found," Moore said.
Police were notified after the dog and the 2005 Buick Rendezvous were taken at 7:30 p.m. Thursday outside an Oak Park 7-Eleven store. The woman had stepped into the store but left the dog in the car with the engine running. When she stepped out, the car and her beloved pet were gone, she said.
Illinois State Police officers stopped an SUV matching the description of Moore's car Saturday, but the dog was gone.
After word that her SUV was recovered, Moore was headed to a West Side police station to reclaim her car. She's hopeful to be reunited with her pet.
"This is just the next and best step to finding her," Moore said.
Moore said she is offering a reward for her pet's safe return, "no questions asked."
