Dognappers pose as LAPD officers to steal pet in Echo Park

A pair of dognappers posed as Los Angeles police officers and stole a man’s dog in Echo Park, police said Thursday.

Police are now looking for the impersonators, who they fear may continue their ruse targeting dog owners.

Dressed in green uniforms, the dognappers knocked on the front door of a man’s home in the 1000 block Waterloo Street about 3:30 p.m. April 14 and represented themselves as officers with the Los Angeles Police Department Animal Cruelty Task Force. The task force is legitimate and only serves Los Angeles.

The female dognappers told the man there had been multiple complaints about his dog being neglected, police said.

They handed him a flier – which appeared to be official and included legitimate information -- and said they were confiscating the dog.

He believed the women and handed them his dog. Police said the dog was not neglected or abused by its owner.

After the women took his dog and left, the man called a phone number on the flier.

Legitimate officers assigned to the task force told him that they hadn’t taken his dog. The man’s dog is still missing.

So far, the scam appears to be random, LAPD Det. Joe Rios said.

The women were described as white and Latina, 5 foot tall, 140 pounds and approximately 35 years old.

Anyone with information about the dognappers is urged to call LAPD Rampart Area burglary detectives at (213) 484-3400.

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