A West Hills man is offering a $50,000 cash reward for the safe return of his two dogs after they were taken during a carjacking Monday evening.
Darian Chin said his 9-year-old terrier mix, Buddy, and his 5-year-old Italian greyhound, Bailey, were inside his black Lexus SUV when the vehicle was stolen from a fast-food parking lot near Victory Boulevard and Platt Avenue.
The incident happened at about 5 p.m. Chin said he had gone inside a nearby McDonald’s for only a few minutes, leaving the vehicle running with the air conditioning on for the dogs.
When he returned, Chin said he saw a young woman driving away in his SUV.
Chin tried to stop the vehicle as it left the parking lot, holding onto the side of the SUV during the attempted escape. He said the driver backed up before accelerating toward the street, leaving him hanging onto the vehicle as it moved away.
The vehicle sustained damage during the incident.
The stolen SUV is a black Lexus with a distinctive Yakima roof rack. Its California license plate is 9VGK703.
Chin said he contacted 911 immediately after the carjacking. Investigators are looking into the theft while the search for the vehicle and the two dogs continues.
For Chin, however, finding Buddy and Bailey is the immediate priority.
He is offering $50,000 for the safe return of both dogs, with no questions asked. Chin said he is also willing to arrange an anonymous handoff if someone has information about the dogs or is able to return them.
The reward is intended specifically to help bring the two pets home safely.
Anyone who sees the stolen Lexus or believes they have located Buddy or Bailey should contact law enforcement rather than attempting to confront anyone involved in the theft.
At this time, the latest available reporting does not indicate that the dogs or the stolen SUV have been recovered. The investigation remains ongoing.
