NORTH Vancouver RCMP said on Tuesday that they have arrested a suspect in relation to a stolen dog investigation.

On Monday, February 12 at approximately 1:30 p.m., North Vancouver RCMP received a frantic phone call from a dog owner advising their six-year-old golden retriever named Amber had been stolen. The owner had briefly gone inside a store in the 1300-block of Lonsdale Avenue and when they returned, they quickly realized the dog was missing.

Frontline officers immediately responded and canvassed the neighborhood for CCTV footage. A nearby construction site with CCTV captured a male walking a dog that matched the description of Amber. Officers sought public assistance and released images of Amber and the suspect on social media. Within minutes of the request, North Vancouver RCMP received a flood of calls of possible sightings of Amber and the suspect on a SeaBus heading toward Vancouver.

Metro Vancouver Transit Police were advised of the latest sighting and asked to be on the lookout. Just before 4:30 p.m., Transit officers located the suspect and Amber at the Waterfront SkyTrain station. The suspect was safely taken into custody and Amber was returned to the owner a short time later. The suspect, a Vancouver man in his 40’s, is facing possible charges of theft under $5,000.

“This was an extremely dynamic situation for the owner and our officers,” said Constable Mansoor Sahak, Media Relations Officer for North Vancouver RCMP. “With the help of social media, the public and partner agencies, we were able to safely return the dog within a relatively short period of time.”

Police are urging pet owners to be vigilant and not to leave their furry friends unattended to prevent similar circumstances.