Stolen Naperville van recovered, but dog sleeping inside still missing
A van stolen late last month with a 13-year-old black Labrador retriever apparently sleeping inside has been recovered in Chicago, Naperville police said Tuesday morning.
But police say the dog, Lilly, is still missing and likely in need of significant medical attention.
Naperville Cmdr. David Hoffman said the van was recovered Monday in the 9400 block of South Calumet Avenue in Chicago. Residents told police the van had been parked there for about a week.
There were no signs of damage to the vehicle and no signs of the missing dog.
"There's still a possibility the dog is still alive," he said.
Hoffman said police checked with a Chicago Animal Control facility in the area but Lilly wan't there.
Lilly has arthritis and difficulty walking. Without her medicine, police said they fear for the dog's health.
The dark green 2001 Chevrolet Venture van was stolen about 9:15 a.m. Sept. 24 from the parking lot of Voss' One Hour Martinizing Cleaners at 215 E. Ogden Ave.
The dog's owner, Gene Voss, said he had pulled into the parking lot to pick up a few orders. He left the motor running and the keys in the van.
When he returned a few minutes later, both the van and his dog were gone.
He has been in frequent contact with police since his dog went missing, Hoffman said.
Witnesses said the van apparently was taken by a woman who's about 25 years old with a thin build, blonde hair and wearing a light-colored top, shorts, gym shoes and dark-rimmed spectacles that may have been sunglasses.
Hoffman would not speculate on why the woman may have taken the van.
Naperville Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to Lilly's recovery.
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=240194">Hunt for stolen Naperville dog continues <span class="date">[10/03/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=238421">Naperville van stolen with driver's dog sleeping inside <span class="date">[09/26/08]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>