WARREN, Mich. — A missing dog case in southeast Michigan has turned into a criminal investigation after police say a 21-year-old man attempted to hold a family’s pet for ransom before officers recovered the animal.
Warren police say the case began when a family reported their dog, Diesel, missing after it escaped from a fenced yard. The family posted on social media in hopes of finding the animal, but investigators say that post quickly drew unwanted attention.
SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS LED TO RANSOM DEMANDS
According to Warren Police Detective Daniel Toth, the family soon began receiving fake text messages and phone calls from individuals claiming to have found the dog.
One message sent to a family member allegedly claimed the dog had been purchased for $600 and demanded payment for its return…