When the dog didn’t return, surveillance video captured the suspect taking the dog from the yard and walking away.
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 11:16PM
Anthony Johnson reports from Newark with more on the search for the suspect.
NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) — Police in Newark are searching for the suspect who stole a dog from the front yard of a home over the weekend.
The dog was stolen from a home in the 100 block of Norfolk Street around 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
Authorities said the suspect they are looking for is 44-year-old Hymifah Richardson and they have a warrant for her arrest.
The pup’s owner, Sylvia Thomas, said she let her Shih Tzu poodle mix named Riley Saint Whapee out to roam in the front yard.
When the dog didn’t return, surveillance video captured the suspect taking the dog and walking south on Norfolk Street.
Thomas said she posted a photo of the alleged thief who was spotted on a bus and contacted her. Thomas said she has since talked to and texted with the woman several times and the person who took Whapee has turned it into a dog kidnapping drama.
“My dog has been a hostage since Saturday in my opinion, but I’ve tried my best to reason with the individual, it doesn’t matter what I think, what matters is what she thinks,” Thomas said.
Thomas said she only wants the family dog returned, but the woman who took the dog has told her it will not be returned until she gets more money.
“The whole time I’m hoping to get someone a reward for the dog, I offered $200,” Thomas said.
Whapee’s owner said she got the dog on Halloween and she and her husband and son are distraught and anxious for the dog’s return.
“Taking a missing dog is not theft, it’s the decision to keep it that is theft, so I’m trying to explain that to her as best I can that I don’t have any animosity toward you for picking up the dog, I just want the dog back, that’s it,” Thomas said.
Richardson is wanted on charges of burglary, theft and harassment. She was last seen wearing a black coat, black pants and a black hat.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Police Division’s 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477). All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are confidential and could result in a reward.
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When the dog didn’t return, surveillance video captured the suspect taking the dog from the yard and walking away.