BOCA RATON – The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office says a West Boca family has been reunited with their Yorkshire terrier after the doggie was stolen from their home along with along with a laptop computer and Xbox.
Max, a 4-year-old Yorkie, was recovered when PBSO officers investigated a report that an adult and juvenile were acting suspiciously near homes in the area of Cypress Drive and Lakes of Boca Drive on April 5.
Deputies said the suspects were arrested with a carload of property, which included computers, jewelry, iPhones, iPads, an Xbox, DVDs and video games allegedly taken in two home burglaries.
A PBSO report says that authorities located the car, a 2-door black Infiniti, parked on Lakes of Boca Drive. It says the driver attempted to put the car in reverse, but was unable because PBSO marked units were blocking.
Officers removed two suspects, Rickardo Stephens and a juvenile, from the car and arrested them. That, according to the report, is when the investigators noticed the laptop computer, an Xbox 360 and the small Yorkie dog.
PBSO determined the computer, Xbox, jewelry and dog were the property of Jim Riger of Cypress Bend Drive, a home located about two miles from where the car was found. The Yorkie was then reunited with Mr. and Mrs. Riger, the report says. The value of the stolen merchandise was listed at $6,000.
Authorities said the dog and other items were taken in a burglary at the Riger home. The sheriff’s office alleges the suspects have been committing home burglaries in the Boca Raton area.
Detective Michael Valenti, who investigated the case, signed an affidavit saying there is probable cause to charge the two suspects with burglary to a dwelling and grand theft.