El Cajon

El Cajon police arrested a man Wednesday in connection with the assault and extortion of a small-business owner that apparently involved cutting off the ears of the store owner’s dog.

Riadh Hallaq, 35, was booked into County Jail in downtown San Diego on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, extortion and felony animal abuse, jail officials said.

Hallaq reportedly entered a business in the 500 block of Jamacha Road about 10 a.m. and threatened the owner with a handgun, police spokesman Debbie Barker said. Hallaq then produced a washcloth that contained the ears from a dog that Hallaq said belonged to the store owner, she said. Hallaq then left the store, Barker said.

The store is owned by Shalkat Hallak, 55, who police believe is the brother of Hallaq, Barker said. Hallak told police that Hallaq demanded a 10% interest in his business and threatened to harm his family if the demand were not met. Hallak also said his dog had been missing for about a week, Barker said.

Hallaq, a resident of Washington state, was arrested about two hours later by El Cajon police, who stopped his car on westbound Interstate 8, Barker said.