News Summary
An urgent search is underway in Charlotte for a stolen French Bulldog named Julio, taken during a car theft incident. Owner Jayla Gittens was moving when a man jumped into her running vehicle, driving off with her dog and belongings. Despite police recovery of the vehicle and arrests, Julio remains missing. Gittens pleads for his safe return and community members have rallied to support, offering a reward. Concerns for Julio’s health and well-being continue to grow as the search intensifies.
Charlotte – An urgent search is underway for a stolen French Bulldog named Julio, following a car theft incident involving owner Jayla Gittens. The theft occurred on April 6 when Gittens was moving out of her north Charlotte apartment. As she was loading boxes into her vehicle, a man unexpectedly jumped into her running Honda Civic and drove off, taking with him not only her belongings but her beloved dog as well.
Inside Gittens’ stolen car were several personal items, including her laptop, wallet, and phone, but the most critical loss was Julio, who has been missing since the incident. Gittens expressed her disbelief, recalling how she was working just a few feet away from the vehicle when it was taken.
On the evening of the theft, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police responded to Gittens’ home around 7 p.m. Five days later, on April 11, police recovered Gittens’ stolen Honda Civic and arrested one juvenile suspect linked to the incident. Further investigation led to the questioning of three additional juveniles regarding potential information about Julio’s location. One of the arrested individuals also faced unrelated charges as the search for the missing dog intensified.
Despite extensive efforts from law enforcement and tips from the public, Julio has not yet been located. Gittens has since moved to a new neighborhood in Plaza Midwood, but her primary focus remains on the return of her dog. In a heartfelt plea, she has urged anyone who may have seen or found Julio to return him to a local shelter without notifying the authorities to ensure the safety of all involved. Meanwhile, the American Kennel Club has reported that French Bulldogs face a higher risk of theft, as they are stolen at twice the rate of other dog breeds.
Concerns for Julio’s health and well-being heighten Gittens’ desperation, particularly given the dog’s anxiety issues and ongoing health problems. Gittens has also reported troubling interactions on social media, including ransom demands from unknown sources, with one individual offering to return Julio for a payment of $1,000.
In response to the situation, community members have rallied together to support Gittens, raising a reward of $2,500 for information that could lead to Julio’s safe return. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is encouraging anyone who may have seen Julio or have any information about his whereabouts to submit tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers at the number 704-334-1600.
As the search continues, Gittens has been vocal about the emotional distress that this situation has caused her, focusing solely on the need to reunite with her cherished dog. The hope remains that Julio will be found and that he can return to the loving home he knows.
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Additional Resources
- WCNC: Stolen French Bulldog Case
- Wikipedia: Dog Theft
- WBTV: Missing Dog After Arrests
- Google Search: Charlotte Missing French Bulldog
- WSOC TV: Woman’s Dog Stolen
- Google Scholar: French Bulldog Theft
- WCCB Charlotte: Car with Dog Stolen
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dog
- Country 103.7 FM: French Bulldog Thefts Surge
- Google News: French Bulldog Theft Charlotte
Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
