Police Get Their Man--and Their Dog

It was a brazen crime, police said, carried out in broad daylight by a confident crook who nonchalantly told Henri Kemp that he would never see his beloved Maude again unless he followed instructions.

A textbook dognaping, in other words. And the life of Maude, a 7-year-old Boston terrier, hung in the balance.

It all began on Tuesday when Kemp’s wife was listening to messages on the answering machine in their Woodland Hills home. Among them was one saying Maude had been stolen--and would be returned only if a $500 ransom were paid. The dog apparently had been taken from the couple’s back yard.

Alarmed, Kemp contacted Los Angeles police, who advised him arrange a public meeting with the dognaper. The thief called again about 9 p.m., and a meeting was set up the next morning in the parking lot of a nearby Ralphs grocery store.

Although the thief asked for the original amount over the phone, Kemp eventually talked him down to $450 for Maude’s return.

But unknown to the thief, a trap was being set. Police would stake out the Ralphs and move in when Kemp gave them a signal by scratching the back of his neck.

When the owner arrived at the supermarket, the thief was waiting. He beckoned Kemp to his car to close the deal.

Then, watching from afar, a team of 15 uniformed officers moved in and arrested Damani Grey, 19, of Northridge on suspicion of extortion.

After the arrest, Maude bounded out of the suspect’s car and ran to Kemp. Safe at last.