Two 18-year-olds from Newmarket and a 22-year-old Aurora man have been arrested in connection with the theft of two puppies in Brampton, according to Peel Regional Police.
The victim had met with three men who had responded to her advertisement for the sale of two bulldog puppies Monday, June 1 at about 7:15 p.m., police said in a news release.
The woman was assaulted when she attempted to stop the men from stealing the puppies, police said.
When the men then fled in a 2017 white Hyundai, the victim followed and attempted to recover the puppies when the vehicle stopped at a traffic light. The suspects' vehicle accelerated and dragged the victim for a short distance, police said.
Justin Khounlivong, 18, Newmarket and John Fisher, 22, of Aurora were charged with possession of stolen property when police were able to locate one of the puppies. Khounlivong is also charged with possession of a loaded firearm, police said.
The second puppy was returned by a citizen who had purchased it on learning through media coverage it had been stolen.
Both puppies were safely recovered and returned to their owner, police said.
On June 3, investigators charged Jason Urbina, 18, of Newmarket with one count of robbery. He was held pending a bail hearing and was to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice today.
Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to call 905-453-3311, ext. 2233 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or at peelcrimestoppers.ca.
