WEST LOOP — The owner of a West Highland white terrier stolen from a West Loop apartment is offering a $5,000 reward for his dog's safe return.
On May 18, Adam Johnston arrived home from work and waited to be greeted by 6½-year-old Barnaby. But when his beloved pet wasn't in his usual spot, Johnston started to look all over his apartment, moving furniture to try find him.
"I panicked," said Johnston, 30. "He usually sits on the couch, and when I come in, he immediately runs to me."
After searching his apartment in the 100 block of North Canal Street, Johnston found his door had been pried open. Johnston was overcome with fear, wondering whether Barnaby, whom he has owned since he was 4 months old, was OK.
Johnston, who's been working with detectives to track down Barnaby, created a Facebook page to spread awareness about his stolen dog and is offering a $5,000 reward for his safe return.
Surveillance footage posted on YouTube by Johnston shows a man wearing a baseball hat and black clothing walking into the building through a garage door around 1:23 p.m. then walking out with the dog at 1:35 p.m.
Johnston said the dognapping is strange.
"I have a computer, a tablet, a bunch of other things, but they didn't take any of that. If they were breaking in for monetary gain, then there's easier things to take. I don't understand the motive."
"It's weird, it seemed too organized," Johnston added.
Now, a week since Barnaby was stolen, Johnston said he doesn't care about why his pooch was targeted; just that he wants him back.
"It sounds cliche, but he's my best friend," Johnston said. "He's who I come home to at night. Every weekend, I spend the whole day with him. I don't care what happened, I just want him back."
Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call police at 312-747-8380.
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