Scammers try to collect reward for stolen bulldog, police say

Megan Fayard
·2 min read
3

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man and woman were arrested after police say they tried to collect reward money by scamming a woman whose dog was stolen.

On March 27, a woman reported her French Bulldog named “Floyd” had been missing from her backyard for two days. She posted pictures of Floyd on social media offering a reward.

Reports say Mario Thompson reached out to the victim and told her he had Floyd. He also said, “Either you send us the $1,000 or yo dog finna make me rich, it really don’t matter to me lady.”

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According to an affidavit, Thompson and his previous coworker, Alexis Grey, found a photo of a French Bulldog online and sent it to the victim.

The victim replied to Thompson and said, “I’m going to pay the $1,000 as promised, but I need my dog at the same time.”

Reports say she advised investigators that she is a former Shelby County Penal Farm Correctional Officer. She recognized the profile pictures of the account messaging her as Thompson.

Thompson and the victim allegedly had a conversation over the phone about potentially meeting up to buy Floyd back for $2,000. However, in a follow-up conversation, Thompson told the victim that he no longer had the dog.

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Police say Alexis Grey admitted that she knew Thompson was trying to scam the victim for reward money. She also admitted to sending Thompson a picture of French Bulldogs to assist in the scam.

Grey said she knew the whereabouts of Floyd, but she refused to give his location to investigators.

Mario Thompson and Alexis Grey are charged with Extortion. Thompson was released on a $1,200 bond and Grey was released on her own recognizance.

Grey appeared in court on Tuesday. Thompson is scheduled to appear in court on May 10.

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