CHICAGO (CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM) — David C. Nawrot says if he had it to do all over again, he surely would have left his family’s beloved dog, Cody, at home.
The Naperville man said the weather was sunny and warm May 21 when he went to scout a new apartment. Cody, his nearly 5-year-old Shiba-Inu, came along for the ride.
Nawrot recalled the meeting with his potential new landlady proved uneventful. But Nawrot then made the fateful decision to buy a few household supplies at the Walmart store at 776 S. Route 59, just west of his home in Naperville’s Wildflower area. He carefully locked all of his vehicle’s doors, leaving the front driver- and passenger-side windows open slightly in order to keep Cody comfortable while he shopped.
Nawrot returned a short time later. By then, Cody had vanished.
“I was a little bit stunned at first,” even thinking for a moment Cody had managed to get out of the car on his own, Nawrot said. “I actually started driving around, looking for him.”
But as the awful reality of the situation sank in, Nawrot returned to the Walmart, asking a manager for permission to review a parking lot surveillance camera videotape and calling police to the scene.
Naperville Crime Stoppers on Friday posted a reward of up to $1,000 for information concerning the theft of the dog. The Nawrot family is also offering a reward.
Cody was taken sometime between 12:50 and 1:30 p.m. that day. The thief — who also made off with Nawrot’s toolbox — apparently managed to get inside without breaking a door lock or window.
The suspect drove a green Ford Mustang, according to images on the surveillance tape.
Cody is “sesame red” in color, weighs 25 pounds and was outfitted with a brown collar and red leash, Nawrot said. He also has an American Veterinary Identification Device — a kind of microchip — implanted under his skin.
The loss of Cody is the second misfortune for the Nawrot family this year. Nawrot said their apartment was burglarized in February.
“I was shell-shocked” after finding Cody missing, Nawrot said ruefully. “I told my family I was sorry. In hindsight, it was not the smartest thing I could’ve done,” as Cody could have been taken home first “because we live right behind Walmart.”
“My 14-year-old son is devastated, of course. “And I was home crying last night.”
“I would rather have had them steal the car and the toolbox instead of Cody. It’s horrible.”
Witnesses to the crime or those who believe they have information about the theft or Cody’s whereabouts are asked to call Naperville Crime Stoppers at 630-420-6006. Callers can remain anonymous.
Read the original article from WBBM News Radio.