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Man Allegedly Demands Ransom for Pooch
BOSTON - A man whose truck was stolen with his 11-week-old puppy inside said the thief threatened to kill his pet unless he paid a $500 ransom. Instead, the dog owner brought the police along to the planned rendezvous, and a suspect was arrested.
Timothy Connors, 30, left the keys in his pickup truck, with the dog inside, when he stepped into a convenience store Monday. That's when Michael Cyr allegedly stole the truck and Dakota, a two-pound Pomeranian-Maltese mix.
After discovering the truck was gone, Connors called his cell phone, which he had left inside the vehicle. He said Cyr answered and demanded $500, threatening to kill the dog if police got involved.
Connors eventually agreed to meet the suspect at Boston's Downtown Crossing shopping district. He put $43 in an envelope — padding it with napkins to make it look like $500.
Cyr did not count the money before handing over the keys to the truck and fleeing, authorities said. Police, who had staked out the area, arrested him nearby after a struggle.
Cyr, 43, was ordered held on $500 bail Tuesday at his arraignment in Boston Municipal Court. He faces charges including extortion and receiving a stolen vehicle.
The dog was unharmed and Connors came away with a lesson.
"I wouldn't leave Dakota alone ever again, not even for 20 seconds," he said.
BOSTON - A man whose truck was stolen with his 11-week-old puppy inside said the thief threatened to kill his pet unless he paid a $500 ransom. Instead, the dog owner brought the police along to the planned rendezvous, and a suspect was arrested.
Timothy Connors, 30, left the keys in his pickup truck, with the dog inside, when he stepped into a convenience store Monday. That's when Michael Cyr allegedly stole the truck and Dakota, a two-pound Pomeranian-Maltese mix.
After discovering the truck was gone, Connors called his cell phone, which he had left inside the vehicle. He said Cyr answered and demanded $500, threatening to kill the dog if police got involved.
Connors eventually agreed to meet the suspect at Boston's Downtown Crossing shopping district. He put $43 in an envelope — padding it with napkins to make it look like $500.
Cyr did not count the money before handing over the keys to the truck and fleeing, authorities said. Police, who had staked out the area, arrested him nearby after a struggle.
Cyr, 43, was ordered held on $500 bail Tuesday at his arraignment in Boston Municipal Court. He faces charges including extortion and receiving a stolen vehicle.
The dog was unharmed and Connors came away with a lesson.
"I wouldn't leave Dakota alone ever again, not even for 20 seconds," he said.
