Police

Cops: Riverhead woman charged with stealing dog from apartment

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Update 9 p.m.: A 59-year-old woman was arrested Wednesday and charged with stealing a 3-year-old Yorkshire terrier named Bella from an apartment in Riverhead, according to a police press release.

Erin Kutur of Riverhead was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, officials said. She was later released and issued an appearance ticket with a future court date, police said.

No other details about the incident were immediately available. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Riverhead Town police at 631-727-4500 ext 332.

-Reporting by Jen Nuzzo

Turbush dogUpdate 6:30 p.m.: The 3-year-old Yorkshire terrier named Bella reported stolen Tuesday has been found.

A maintenance worker found the dog Wednesday night in the parking lot where the owners live at the Fairfield apartment complex on West Main Street in Riverhead, the pet owner’s family confirmed.

Riverhead police said Wednesday no arrests have been made.

-Reporting by Jen Nuzzo

Below is the original story:

Kelly Turbush was at work when her boyfriend called Tuesday evening, asking where the couple’s 3-year-old dog, a Yorkshire terrier named Bella, had gone.

Ms. Turbush said the dog was at their apartment at the Fairfield complex on West Main Street. But her boyfriend couldn’t find the pup.

“I thought he was kidding around with me,” she said. But he wasn’t.

A burglar had broken into her apartment, Ms. Turbush said. But the thief didn’t take the $40 on the table, the Michael Kors watch, her handbags or the laptop nearby.

Instead, she said, the thief took her dog.

“I’m heartbroken,” she said. “I’m still in shock.”

Ms. Turbush has appealed to friends on social media, posting three pictures of her beloved Bella on Facebook and asking users for their prayers — and to help her find her “little girl.”

“Please if anyone sees her let me know,” Ms. Turbush said. As of Wednesday morning, Ms. Turbush’s post had more than 375 shares. The dog was wearing a purple harness when it was last seen.

According to a Riverhead police report, someone cut a window screen in the back west side of the apartment between 12 and 5:30 p.m. The burglar allegedly entered through the unlocked window and took the two-pound dog, valued in the police report at $1,500.

Detectives have asked anyone with information about the alleged crime to contact police at (631) 727-4500 ext. 633.

Nothing else was stolen and no arrest has been made, police said.

The dog is a member of the family, Ms. Turbush said. One of her granddaughter’s first words was “Bella.”

Ms. Turbush said she can’t believe the outpouring of support from her friends and neighbors, including from strangers who have offered to put out flyers to find Bella.

“I’m so thankful for everyone for doing this,” she said.

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Photo Credit: Bella, the Yorkshire terrier reportedly stolen from Kelly Turbush’s home Tuesday. (Credit: Facebook)