Police: Man steals puppy while delivering food

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. —

A man is in jail after Jacksonville Beach Police say he stole a puppy from a condo Saturday evening.

Police say 22-year-old Arlinson Chilito stole the teacup poodle named Lexi during a food delivery. He was arrested by police for grand theft.

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Early Sunday morning police reunited Lexi with her owners.

Her owner, Rick Block, shared a surveillance video from the Jacksonville Beach condo where he and his wife live, showing Lexi being taken down an elevator and put inside a bag before the suspect drives off.

“When it’s time to go to bed, we have this ritual where we put her in her crate, she wasn’t there – you’re gonna make me tear up - she wasn’t there,” Block recalled.

Block says his wife ordered food from Grubhub and Lexi slipped out.

“Kim turned around, the dog was gone,” Block explained.

Police say Chilito delivered the food and left with Lexi.

Jacksonville Beach Police and the couple began their desperate search to find the dog, even offering a $5,000 dollar reward.

Block tells Action News Jax he called Grubhub himself.

“And then they said, ‘he’s not an employee, he’s using his girlfriend’s credentials,’” Block said.

Action News Jax tried contacting Grubhub by phone and email Sunday night, but no one could be reached at the time.

Police say hours later, officers located Chilito at his Jacksonville home with Lexi.

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“She doesn’t get to sleep in the bed with us, she has her own place; she got to sleep in the bed last night,” Block added.

Block says he and his wife are still discussing what to do next.

“I don’t know, he’s young, and I really don’t want to ruin somebody’s life,” Block said.

Chilito is currently in the Duval County Jail on a $92,000 dollar bond.

Cox Media Group