Stolen Yorkie reunited with owner, man arrested

MIAMI (WSVN) -- A Teacup Yorkie that was snatched from a South Florida restaurant in broad daylight was found and returned to his owner, Monday night.

Monster and his owner Athina Kafouros were reunited around 10 p.m. Monday, giving this kidnapping tale a happy ending, after a five-day ordeal.

Miami Police said Wilfredo Torres was responsible for stealing Monster from a local restaurant, last week. He was arrested late Monday night. Torres responded with, "I didn't steal him, the other guy did."

Surveillance video from Mykonos Restaurant on Southwest 12th Avenue off Coral Way in Miami, showed one guy riding by on a bicycle peering in at Monster's pink Juicy Couture carrier, around 4:15 p.m. last Wednesday. Seconds later, police said a second man on a bicycle, who police said was Torres, grabbed the carrier and rode away.

"I felt like, almost violated, because someone came and grabbed him from me," said Kafouros. Monster spent his days at the restaurant, which belongs to Athina's family, while his owner worked.

After years of begging her relatives for a Yorkie pup, she finally got one as a Christmas gift. Kafouros and her parents were overcome with emotion at Monster's return, something they owe to a tipster who wished to remain anonymous.

Miami Police acted on this tip and were able to return Monster to his owners and arrest the dog-napper.

Torres has been charged with grand theft, dealing in stolen property and accessory after the fact. He faced a judge in court Tuesday morning where he was denied bond.

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