Kenneth Crider has been caught and charged in North Carolina with taking a car from 87-year-old Willard Martz while Martz’s dog, Lucky, was still inside.
“Criminer was caught by detectives from the Nash County Sheriff’s Office after leading police on a chase,” said hero Captain Robert Bowen.
Lucky wasn’t found. Krider told the police that he let Lucky go “at an unknown rest stop between Myrtle Beach and Nash County.”
Crider was first seen by detectives on Octavia Drive in Dortches, North Carolina. As the police chased Crider, they say he ran down Interstate 95 at speeds of more than 100 to 120 miles per hour.
After Crider did a PIT move, the police were able to stop him. He is now being charged with several things.
The search for Lucky
Lucky, a 10-year-old Airedale-terrier mix, is still being looked for. On September 23, Martz’s keys were stolen from his pants pocket at Tractor Supply in East Huntingdon, Westmoreland County. Police said the suspect got into Martz’s car and drove off, leaving Lucky still in the car.
Later, the Pennsylvania State Police released pictures of Crider. Surveillance video from the Dunbar Township Walmart store shows Crider pull into a parking place about an hour after the crime and get Lucky out of the car to go to the bathroom. Critzer went into Walmart and then took Martz’s car and drove off again.
Martz and his daughter said they heard two or three times that Lucky had been seen. Lucky’s family says he wears a black collar and a flea collar that are connected with a zip tie. There is a $500 prize for his safe return.
The Pennsylvania State Police can be reached by anyone with knowledge.