Amazon driver steals French Bulldog while delivering packages: HCSO
SPRING HILL, Fla. - An Amazon driver is accused of stealing a French Bulldog while he was delivering packages in Spring Hill, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.
According to deputies, a family who lives on Copper Hill Drive let their dog, Kali, outside Dec. 23. A short time later, they noticed Kali was not in the fenced-in backyard.
A neighbor told Kali's owner that they saw the dog walk up to a man wearing an Amazon uniform, who had just delivered a package to a home on Copper Hill Drive. The sheriff's office shared home security camera images with FOX 13 showing the moment the dog approached the driver.
Courtesy: Hernando County Sheriff's Office
The neighbor told deputies, after interacting with the dog, the delivery driver drove off in a white, older model Chevrolet Cruze with the dog following behind the vehicle.
Another neighbor told the dog's owner that the man stopped his vehicle on Larkenheath Drive where he picked up the dog and put it in his backseat before driving off.
"A reasonable citizen would say, let me try to do everything I can and keep the dog for the night. And, you know, make some phone calls and try to, you know, find who the owner is. That's understandable," said Detective Benjamin Witherell.
Courtesy: Hernando County Sheriff's Office
On Jan. 16, detectives identified the alleged thief as Reinier Revilla, 34, of Tampa. During an interview with police, Revilla told detectives that he took the dog and that she was still in his possession. Witherell said Revilla claims he briefly attempted to find the owner before giving up and taking the dog.
Kali was recovered and returned to her owner.
"Kali is worth about $4,000. This is a grand theft investigation. She's a purebred, French bulldog. That's an expensive breed." Witherell said, adding he was thrilled to be able to reuinite Kali with her family. "It was a highlight case of my career, honestly. It's a that's a very good ending to a story that could be so sad."
Revilla turned himself in at the Hillsborough County Jail and is charged with grand theft. He was released after posting a $5,000 bond.
Amazon released the following statement after the driver's arrest:
"We stayed in touch with the customer throughout this process and are thankful for the work of the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and Kali’s return home. The individual responsible is no longer delivering packages for Amazon."