It could have ended very differently for Daphne, a small terrier mix stolen from her 74-year-old owner Thursday during a violent carjacking.
Her owner, Rosa Smith, was punched in the face repeatedly before a man drove away from a DeKalb County gas station with her red Nissan Rogue, according to police. Daphne was still inside.
RELATED: 3 men sought after punching 74-year-old woman during DeKalb carjacking
It appears the dog was put out of the car sometime later in southwest Atlanta, where Candace Thompson found her wandering in the road Thursday night.
Good news! Daphne, the dog stolen in last Thursday's violent carjacking on Gresham Rd, has been found! DKPD picked up Daphne from Candace Thompson who says she found Daphne Thursday evening in Southwest Atlanta. Thank you, Ms. Thompson! (1/2) pic.twitter.com/ZglWT7taGI
— DeKalb County Police Department (@DeKalbCountyPD) December 9, 2019
“I figured she belonged to somebody,” Thompson told DeKalb police. “She was in great condition. She had a tag, and you know, I wanted to get her out of the road.”
Thompson said she tried calling the number on Daphne’s tag for a few days but never got a call back. She finally called police after a friend said she saw the dog on the news.
Officers went to pick up the terrier Sunday night.
Unfortunately, we’re still searching for the 3 suspects who attacked the 74-year-old victim & stole her vehicle. If you have any information on the suspects you are asked to contact DKPD at 404-786-7990 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS #DKPD pic.twitter.com/O3imnmtljI
— DeKalb County Police Department (@DeKalbCountyPD) December 9, 2019
Smith, a retired attorney, was hospitalized following the attack. She didn’t suffer any broken bones, but she was left battered and bruised with gashes on her forehead, mouth and cheeks, according to police. She also complained of extreme pain in her hips.
An update on Smith’s condition was not provided. Her Nissan has not been recovered.
In surveillance video of the incident, Smith was left on the ground in the parking lot of the Chevron on the corner of Gresham and Cook roads. Police are still searching for her attacker, as well as two others they said got into the Nissan before it left the gas station.
After one of the suspects violently attacked the victim, he & 2 others drove off in her 2017 Nissan Rogue with her dog inside the vehicle.
— DeKalb County Police Department (@DeKalbCountyPD) December 6, 2019
Her vehicle & dog haven’t been recovered. If you know any of the males at the end of the video, call DKPD at 404-286-7992. #DKPD #Share pic.twitter.com/Ly1ytLiV1W
They have released surveillance photos of the three suspects. On Monday,police said they believe one of the suspects is a woman.
Credit: DeKalb County Police Department
Credit: DeKalb County Police Department
Anyone with information is asked to call DeKalb County detectives at 404-786-7990. Tipsters can remain anonymous, and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000, by contacting Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, texting information to 274637 or visiting the Crime Stoppers website.
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