In a shocking incident that unfolded outside a downtown Los Angeles Whole Foods in January, a woman named Ali Zacarias attempted to thwart the theft of her French Bulldog named Onyx. The incident gained widespread attention as Zacarias clung to the hood of the suspects’ car in a desperate effort to stop them from getting away.

Arrest Made in Connection to French Bulldog Theft

After weeks of investigation, authorities made an arrest related to the stolen French Bulldog case. Sadie Slater, a 21-year-old resident of Los Angeles, was apprehended in Inglewood around 11:30 p.m. on a Friday. She faces charges of suspicion of robbery and is currently held in custody on a $70,000 bail. It remains unclear whether Onyx has been recovered following Slater’s arrest.

The Theft Incident and Police Statement

On January 18, at approximately 3:45 p.m., Onyx was snatched while his owner was dining on a patio in the 800 block of South Grand Ave. The police reported that a female suspect swiftly grabbed the victim’s dog and fled the scene. The victim, Ali Zacarias, chased after the suspect as she entered a white four-door sedan, driven by an additional male suspect.

The police description of the second suspect identified him as a man in his 20s, and the getaway vehicle was described as a white four-door Kia Forte.

A Courageous Stand: Clinging to the Hood

Video footage captured the extraordinary attempt by Zacarias to stop the thieves. The white Kia Forte, with Zacarias on its hood, was filmed driving down Grand Avenue. Zacarias sustained scrapes and cuts during the ordeal, recounting that the car swerved, causing her to roll off. She expressed the emotional toll of having her beloved pet ripped away and her determination not to let him go.

Zacarias provided details about the suspects, mentioning that there were three women and one man in the car, all in their mid-to-late 20s, wearing casual attire such as t-shirts and sweatpants. The car’s license plate was obscured, with only the last few digits visible.

Impact on the Victim

In an interview, Zacarias conveyed the difficulty of losing her dog and the extreme measures she took to prevent it. She explained that her last resort was to stand in front of the car, pleading with the suspects not to leave. When they drove into her, pushing her onto the hood, she resolved to hold on as they sped away.

The Emotional Toll of Pet Theft

The incident involving Ali Zacarias and her stolen French Bulldog sheds light on the emotional toll pet theft can inflict on owners. As cases of pet theft continue to rise, it is essential for communities and law enforcement to work together to prevent such crimes and ensure the safety and well-being of beloved pets.