Dog stolen from midtown grocery store may have been dumped in Whitehaven

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Rescue groups and individuals in the community have joined the search for a dog taken during a car theft at the Fresh Market on Union Avenue Thursday.

Police said the stolen 2013 black Infiniti was used a day later in a bank robbery in West Memphis, AR, and the alleged bank robber was arrested when he crashed the vehicle in downtown Memphis.

Dog missing after AR bank robbery, police chase

Officers said the missing dog, Yoshi, was not inside the vehicle. The dog’s owner said the 15-year-old Shepherd/Husky mix could be in Arkansas or the Whitehaven area of Memphis.

Lynn Bugg, said according to an officer handling the case, it’s possible the man arrested for the bank robbery did not steal the Infiniti.

“The robber is saying he found the car in Whitehaven around Goodhaven Drive and Millbranch,” said Bugg.

She said there were no cameras on the grocery store that showed who drove off in her vehicle. We reached out to police to get more information but have not heard back.

Reward offered for dog missing after AR bank robbery and chase

A $2,000 reward has been offered for information leading to Yoshi’s safe return. Bugg said Yoshi has lost some of her sight and hearing and is in need of pain medication.

The bank robbery suspect, later identified as Freddy Nijil, has been charged with the theft of the Infiniti along with evading arrest in a vehicle and on foot and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun.

If you have seen Yoshi or know where she is, call 901-545-COPS or Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH.

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