San Francisco police seek help finding stolen Maltese puppy

San Francisco police are asking for the public’s help find a missing dog stolen Monday morning on the 200 block of Sutter Street.

Police said Scruggs, a 4-month-old Maltese, was stolen from a 23-year-old Los Gatos resident who had left the dog inside his Subaru SUV at approximately 10 a.m. The owner returned to his vehicle 30 minutes later and discovered the dog was gone.

Surveillance footage led authorities to 43-year-old Viengphet Sasone, who allegedly stole the puppy from the parked vehicle, police said. Police arrested Sasone at approximately 12:50 p.m. Friday on the 50o block of Mason Street.

Police said Sasone refused to tell investigators where the puppy was taken. He was booked on charges of second degree auto burglary, possession of burglar tools and a probation violation. Police said Sasone is also on probation for a prior burglary offense in The City.

Authorities are asking the public’s help to find the white Maltese, weighing approximately 12 pounds and last seen wearing a pink and blue leash and .

Anyone with information about the missing dog can call the SFPD Tip Line at (415) 575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.

Jerold Chinn

Jerold serves as a reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief for SFBay covering transportation and occasionally City Hall and the Mayor's Office in San Francisco. His work on transportation has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club. Born and raised in San Francisco, he graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in journalism. Jerold previously wrote for the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization. When not reporting, you can find Jerold taking Muni to check out new places to eat in the city.