Aries, a 7-month old German shepherd, is home again.
The dog, lost after an alleged botched theft attempt in mid-October, was found by a Good Samaritan in the Country Village section of Jersey City just after 8 p.m. on Oct. 25. Jersey City police were able to reunite the pet with her owners after the dog was found Sunday night on Belmar Road.
The Jersey City Police began to search for the stolen animal after it went missing from the front yard of a home on Emerson Avenue on Oct. 19 at about noon.
On Monday, Jersey City Police arrested Salvador Velez, Jr., 40, of 18th Street, in Union City, and Manuel R. Garcia, 71, of Johnston Avenue, and charged both men with the theft of the dog.
“Detective Glasser showed real leadership by using all channels possible to include the community in helping to solve the case.” – Candice Osborne
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One of the alleged thieves had released the dog near Liberty State Park just prior to the arrival of the police. So Garcia will also receive a ticket for abandonment from the Division of Animal Control.
According to Councilwoman Candice Osborne, the dog was spotted near the Pathmark shopping mall near Pacific Avenue a day later.
Dogs are stolen or go missing time to time in Jersey City, and they’re not always recovered.
During her six-day trek, Aries somehow made her way across the city from near Liberty State Park on the east side of Jersey City and County Village, which is located on the southeast side near the border with Bayonne, a journey of about 3.5 miles.
This adventure would have required the dog to cross a number of major north/south streets. Officials could not say where the dog obtained food during those days on the road. But police said other than being a little dirty, Aries was found to be in good condition and was happy to be home with her owners, including a young child.
Good detective work
Osborne said that Detective Brian Glasser was instrumental in getting word out to the public.
“He did an amazing job, helping to push social media to help find the dog,” she said. “He was the one who reached out to me and, I imagine, to Jersey City government as well.”
Someone living in the area of Country Village apparently recognized the dog from photos posted and notified the police.
“Detective Glasser showed real leadership by using all channels possible to include the community in helping to solve the case,” Osborne said. “I was pleased when he reached out to me and so happy that Aries was returned safe and sound.”
Councilman Khemraj “Chico” Ramchal, who represents a portion of the west side of Jersey City, commended the police.
“Once again, Jersey City’s Finest and the community worked in tandem both on the streets and on social media to locate the lost dog and safety return it to the owners,” he said. “I think the dog heard the dog whisper chat of ‘Westside is the Best Side.’ Just glad the story has a happy ending.”
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.