A woman and her dog have been reunited after her dog was stolen from her at gunpoint during a walk along Avondale Overlook Drive Saturday morning in Prince George’s County.
Yana's happy as can be to be back in the loving care of her owner Sophia Radich.
The two had been inseparable until they were forcibly ripped away from each other Saturday morning.
“I’m just very relieved to have Yana back,” Radich said. “I’m so grateful that she’s back in my arms. I tried not to lose hope.”
Radich calls it the scariest moment of her life. She was walking Yana Saturday morning along Avondale Overlook Drive when she was approached by two suspects. Radich says they looked like young teens.
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Ring camera video shows one of them tussle over Yana's leash before pulling out a gun and pointing it at Radich's head.
“I was like, ‘Wait, is this really happening? This is crazy.’ It didn’t feel real at all, but it was. It was very real and I'm glad it’s over.”
Radich got to work putting up fliers and posting on social media, asking for help in finding her beloved dog.
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Radich says she had to deal with painful scam calls from people just trying to swindle the reward money from her, but eventually she got the call she had been desperately hoping for.
Sunday afternoon someone who had seen Yana's missing poster found the dog at their apartment complex. Radich rushed over and was thrilled when she realized her fur baby was safe and sound.
“I was so relieved, and I was getting emotional when I saw her little face,” she said. “I was like, ‘That’s for sure Yana.’ This isn’t a hoax. This isn’t a prank. It felt really good.”
Radich says what she went through was emotionally exhausting and now no longer feels safe where she lives. Yana is staying with family members for the time being as Radich prepares to move.
Radich says support from loved ones and community members has meant so much to her and now that she's back with Yana, she's being spoiled even more than usual.
“She’s so special to me,” Radich said. “I’ve had her since she was just a puppy. She means everything to me. I’m just so grateful to have her back.”
Prince George's County police continue to search for the suspects.
Police are asking anyone with information on the two suspects to contact them.
