PARMA, Ohio — A Cleveland man was arrested on felony theft charges after allegedly stealing a French bulldog and attempting to collect a reward for its safe return. The dog, named Watson, was reunited with its owner after a successful sting operation carried out by Parma police.
The incident began on Saturday, when the dog’s owner, who requested to remain anonymous, discovered that his two French bulldogs, Watson and Chloe, had escaped from his yard. The owner later posted information about the missing dogs on social media in hopes of finding them.
Later that day, a man traveling down West 54th Street in Parma spotted the dogs. He was able to catch Chloe, but Watson ran off and was grabbed by a man in a passing car. The car sped away, and the man provided a description of the vehicle and its license plate to authorities. When Cleveland Heights police investigated the car’s registered owner, the individual refused to speak with officers.
The dog’s owner, desperate to get Watson back, offered a $1,000 reward and later increased it to $2,500. Shortly after, he was contacted by someone claiming they could help return Watson — but only for the reward money.
The owner immediately alerted Parma police, who decided to set up a sting operation. When the suspect’s car arrived at the prearranged meeting spot, officers were ready and arrested the passenger, 33-year-old LaShawn Cortez Burt of Cleveland.
In the backseat of the car, officers found Watson, and the dog was safely returned to its owner. Burt was charged with felony theft, based on the value of the French bulldog, and was arraigned on Tuesday. Court records indicate he was released on a personal bond.
The happy ending of the case saw Watson and his companion Chloe reunited with their owner, making the family whole again.
