Family dog ‘Roxy’ reunites with family, suspect charged in Etobicoke carjacking
Posted December 12, 2024 6:48 am.
Last Updated December 13, 2024 6:12 am.
An SUV and a family dog that was stolen when a father dropped his daughter off at an Etobicoke school were located, and a suspect has been charged, according to Toronto police.
On Thursday, police announced an arrest in the case.
Wayne Russel, 39, of Alliston, Ont., is facing charges of robbery, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and failure to comply with a probation order.
In an interview with CityNews, Josh Miller said that he was about to pull out of the parking lot of Bloorlea Middle School on Wednesday morning when the suspect approached him and threatened to hurt his kids if he didn’t give him the vehicle.
He obliged, and the suspect sped off, but the man said he forgot that Roxy, his four-year-old chocolate lab, was still inside the white Jeep Grand Cherokee.
A Toronto police spokesperson told CityNews that the SUV was located in Brampton, near Hurontario Street and Mayfield Road, at around 11 p.m. on Wednesday. The dog was found in good health on Thursday following a tip from the public.
Roxy and the suspect were at a Brampton residence when the accused was taken into custody, and police said the four-year-old dog was reunited with her family.
“The first text I got [Thursday] morning was someone saying they thought they had seen a dead, brown dog on the side of a highway,” Miller said with Roxy by his side. “We got another call from Peel police, saying they believed they had Roxy.”
Miller said he was informed that his beloved dog had been spotted outside an abandoned house. He’s grateful she was unharmed.
“I wish we had a Go-Pro on her,” he admitted. “Not to give the suspect too much credit, but it sounds like she treated her well.
“It reminded me that even after having someone take your car, take your dog, there are so many amazing people in the world, especially at this time of the year,” Miller added.
Police said these cases are unusual but happen, and the public often plays a key role in the investigation. The Miller family, meanwhile, expressed gratitude that the attention received led to Roxy’s return home in time for the holidays.
