Burglary charges pending for accused La Crosse dognappers

Two people face possible burglary charges after police said they stole a dog Saturday night and sold it outside a downtown bar.

According to police reports, Shane Blodgett returned home around 10 p.m. to find the lights on and his 3-year-old pit bull, Cooper, gone. Blodgett said he'd locked the door and closed the windows before leaving home. An investigation led police to Sabrina Tajik and Timothy Pergande, who admitted crawling through a window to capture the dog at Tajik's urging. Tajik told police Pergande was rescuing the dog because he didn't think it was in a good environment.

Pergande said he and another woman were walking the dog downtown when a random couple "fell in love" with it and offered them money.The couple told police Pergande claimed to have found the dog and didn't have money for food. They said they were suspicious and gave him $60 for the pooch, which they returned to Blodgett.

Police arrested Pergande, 30, on suspicion of burglary and Tajik, 18, on suspicion of burglary and bail jumping. Both were freed on signature bonds and are scheduled to return to court Friday.

(c)2012 the La Crosse Tribune (La Crosse, Wis.)

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