A pit bill puppy was stolen on New Year's Eve in an apparent home invasion in D.C.'s Bellevue neighborhood.
Police say three people knocked on the door of an apartment in the 100 block of Atlantic Street SE about 7:25 p.m. When a resident answered, the suspects pushed their way inside, shoved the resident to the floor and hit him with a stick, police say.
They went to the back of the apartment and grabbed Lola, a 7-month-old female pit bull, according to police. One of the suspects announced they were going to "take the dog," another resident of the apartment told police.
It wasn't immediately clear if the suspects knew the victim before the crime.
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Police say the suspects left the apartment and went upstairs to another unit, where they banged on that door, trying to get in. A resident of that apartment told police that one suspect hit her door with a gun, while another suspect covered up a nearby camera.
The three suspects weren't able to get into that apartment.
They were last seen running in the 100 Block of Atlantic Street SE, police said. An incident report from D.C. police says they're wanted for first-degree burglary, simple assault and unlawful entry.
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Police shared a photo of Lola in hopes of finding her and the suspects. She has black fur and a white stripe on her head, chest and stomach.
This latest incident comes amid a rash of dog thefts in the District.
Anyone with information is asked not to take action themselves and to call police at 202-727-9099 or text 50411.
