Lost dog found, Fresno woman held in theft

The owners of a rottweiler named Winnie have their dog back and a woman who tried to take the dog under false pretenses was arrested on suspicion of theft, Fresno police reported.

The strange incident took place after Winnie broke out of her back yard near Fruit and Ashlan avenues last week. A man who lives in the area spotted Winnie wandering in the neighborhood, took her home and posted information about the lost dog on social media in an effort to find the owners.

Sgt. Justin Hoagland said the man then received a call from a woman identified as Andrea Rodriguez, 32, who claimed to be the owner. She arranged to come and pick up Winnie. The man became skeptical when she got there, Hoagland said, because the photo Rodriguez provided was not clear and it did not appear that Winnie wanted to leave with her. He took photographs of Rodriguez and her car.

Hoagland said the real owners got in touch with the man a short time later, and police were notified after the owners provided proof of ownership. Next, the owners and police went to a home in the 800 block of East Elizabeth Avenue where Rodriguez lived. When the owners called to Winnie, she “became ecstatic” and ran outside, Hoagland said.

Rodriguez could not provide proof of ownership, and was booked into Fresno County Jail on charges of theft and violation of probation.

This story was originally published July 27, 2015 at 10:10 AM with the headline "Lost dog found, Fresno woman held in theft."