Donations have been pouring into a reward fund after a Southern California family lost their dog and their minivan in a single heist.
The family’s 10-year-old yellow Labrador was sleeping in the backseat of their minivan when someone hopped in and drove off from a Studio City parking lot.
"I don't care about the car. I just want my dog back," owner Nayo Mateo said.
The family’s minivan was stolen from a parking lot at 12507 Ventura Boulevard, at Whitsett Avenue (map), in Los Angeles. Anyone who spots the dark blue Honda Odyssey with California license plate No. 6FLL546 is urged to call 911.
A 10-year-old yellow lab was asleep in the back seat at the time of the theft. Mateo said he left the car running with the air conditioner on so his dog, Maru, could stay cool while he went inside to get his wife and 2-year-old daughter, who were shopping at a children’s clothing store.
"We miss her so much; she's a part of our life," Mateo told NBC 4 Los Angeles, often tearing up or crying when speaking about the missing dog who he's had since she was a puppy.
Maru was wearing a collar with tags when she was taken. She is also microchipped, so whoever finds her can take Maru to a veterinarian, animal hospital or animal control office, where her chip can be read and her owners contacted.
The family has posted fliers, called animal shelters and filed a police report.
A fund has been set up to create a reward in the hope that a monetary incentive could soon bring Maru home safely.
“I felt sick to my stomach for this poor man who was trying to hold it together,” said Sheilah Aragon, founder of Mutt Match L.A.
In a Facebook post, Aragon said she was at a pet adoption event at Kriser’s in Studio City when she heard Mateo ask the store’s owner ask if they had cameras outside. Mateo’s minivan went missing from the parking lot the pet store shares with other businesses.
Aragon overheard the husband and father recount his tale, and was moved.
Mutt Match L.A. is asking for the public’s help to raise reward money. So far, some $1,500 has been raised.
Donations can be sent via PayPal to muttmatchla@aol.com. Aragon said donations should be made as a “gift, so fees are not taken out.”
NBC4's Kim Baldonado contributed to this report.
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Photo Credit: Mateo Family