Policeman, Girlfriend Stole Her Brother's Dog After Domestic Dispute, Officers Say

A Philadelphia police officer was accused of stealing a dog following a domestic dispute in New York City. According to reports, the 30-year-old officer was charged with robbery and other offenses Saturday.

Officer Angel Lopez, 30, will be suspended for 30 days with intent to dismiss, said Richard Ross, Philadelphia police commissioner. Lopez allegedly helped his girlfriend steal her brother’s Maltese dog.

“It’s so very unfortunate that someone will give up a good job for something that’s so ridiculous,” Ross said.

According to a complaint in Brooklyn Criminal Court, Lopez — clad in his blue uniform, complete with shield, cuffs and gun — visited his girlfriend's brother in his Bushwick, New York, home Thursday.

“Where is the dog? I want the dog!” Lopez shouted while shoving the man several times, the complaint stated. Lopez was armed with his pistol and carrying handcuffs. He then grabbed the victim's belt and allegedly told him: “If you hit me, I am going to arrest you for assaulting an officer.”

The victim picked up his dog and said he was going to leave as he didn't want any trouble. At this point, Lopez and his girlfriend held the man down in the bedroom, the complaint alleges. Lopez then punched the man in the head and put the victim in a chokehold when he didn’t surrender the animal. Meanwhile, his girlfriend grabbed the dog and fled. Lopez later followed her.

“It appears to be a domestic [dispute] gone wrong,” a New York City Police Department spokesperson told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Lopez was arrested Friday and the Brooklyn District Attorney for Kings County charged him with several counts of robbery, along with grand larceny, assault, menacing, and other assorted counts. He was released after a court appearance late Saturday and was due back in court June 28.

Authorities said Lopez's girlfriend was not arrested as of Sunday and that she was still believed to have the dog. Other details about the case remain unclear.