Man arrested after stolen van carrying 8 dogs recovered outside Chicago pet salon: police

Van full of dogs stolen in Chicago recovered, 1 arrested

A van carrying eight dogs has been recovered after it was stolen outside a pet salon Tuesday morning in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. Chicago police also arrested a suspect in the case and charges are pending. 

CHICAGO - A van carrying eight dogs has been recovered after it was stolen outside a pet salon Tuesday morning in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.

Chicago police also arrested a suspect in the case and charges are pending. 

What we know:

The van was stolen in front of Animal Lovers Pet Salon located at 2332 N. Clybourn Ave., according to a Facebook post by Markay's Castle of the Dogs, a training and boarding facility in Tippecanoe, Indiana. 

The facility, which posted a photo of the missing van, does pick-up and drop-off service at the pet salon on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

David Cox, the driver, said he stepped inside briefly to drop off the dogs’ belongings when it was taken.

"I went inside with the dogs’ belongings, came back to bring the dogs into the salon and the van was gone," Cox said. "About 15 seconds from me dropping things off to the moment he drove off."

According to Cox, the suspect quickly changed the vehicle’s license plates, loaded lawn care equipment into the van and even stopped at a McDonald’s, leaving trash behind.

Police said the van was located just after noon in the 1200 block of W. Oakdale Avenue, thanks in part to tips generated through social media. The eight dogs were found inside, and a 46-year-old man was taken into custody. He has not been identified.

The recovered dogs include a male labradoodle, a female miniature dachshund, a male mountain dog, a female Australian shepherd mix, a female husky, a female sheepdog, a male husky and a female Labrador mix.

What they're saying:

Families of the dogs described the hours-long wait as agonizing.

"It was the worst three hours I’ve had in a very long time. Everyone is safe — that’s all that matters," said Nicholas Iwaniuk, who was reunited with his dog, Shadow.

Katie Walker said she feared the worst while waiting for word about her dog, Millie.

"Four agonizing hours. I was concerned they would take the van and get rid of the dogs. They don’t have collars. It’s a really happy ending," Walker said. "I wanted to puke. I couldn’t tell my daughter. It was horrible."

Video captured emotional reunions as families picked up their pets, many in tears of relief.

Cox said the dogs appeared surprisingly calm after the ordeal.

"They were pretty relaxed considering the adventure they had today," he said. "All I can say is I’m sorry. This shouldn’t happen."

What's next:

Police said the investigation remains ongoing as charges are being determined.