HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Huntsville Police Department says two men were arrested after attempting to steal two puppies Thursday afternoon.
According to HPD, at about 1:30 p.m., officers responded to a reported robbery in progress in the 100 block of James Madison Drive.
HPD said a man told police he was trying to sell puppies and had set up a meeting with an unknown man.
The man said he was leaving his home when he was confronted by unknown men who were armed with handguns, demanding that the puppies be given to them. The man complied, and the men ran from the area.
Authorities said the man was sprayed with pepper spray by one of the men, though this did not injure him.
An investigator with the HPD’s Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene, gathered evidence and identified a possible suspect and vehicle of interest.
The vehicle of interest and the suspect of interest were shared with HPD’s Anti-Crime Team just before 3 p.m., and about 30 minutes later, the Anti-Crime Team stopped the vehicle.
Two men were inside. One of them was previously identified as a person of interest. Evidence found in the vehicle linked both to the robbery.
HPD said Alan O’Brian Lewis Jr., 22, and Ja’Queze Marquise Williams, 21, both of Huntsville, were taken to HPD’s Criminal Investigations Division for questioning.
Following questioning, both were arrested and charged with first-degree robbery involving a firearm at a residence.
The stolen puppies were recovered and returned to the victim.
This investigation remains ongoing, and additional arrests are expected.
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