No charges for St. Charles woman accused of stealing dog
Kane County prosecutors Thursday dismissed charges against a St. Charles woman accused of stealing a man's dog and putting it up for sale on Craigslist.
Assistant State's Attorney Steve Sims said the state would have been unable to prove its case against 26-year-old Jennifer Aviles, who claimed she found the sickly German shepherd on the side of the road and was only trying to find it a good home.
"We'll never know exactly what happened that night, whether she wanted to take the dog or was trying to help the dog," Sims said. "There absolutely was probable cause (for charges). However, there is a considerable difference between probable cause and being able to prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt."
Aviles, who had faced one misdemeanor theft charge, declined to speak with reporters as she left the courtroom with her attorney. But she has said previously that she "was only trying to do what I thought was right."
She took the dog, named Kaiser, on Dec. 7 after spotting it along Illinois Avenue near 13th Avenue in St. Charles while driving to work. Aviles said there was no owner in sight for several minutes, and the animal appeared "severely emaciated" and had no collar.
Later that day, Aviles said, she posted an ad on Craigslist offering to sell the dog for $150. But she denied actually wanting any money for it, saying she was just trying to find a good home and planned to give it away.
St. Charles police arrested Aviles after the dog's owner reported the animal missing and later learned of the Craigslist ad. He told police the dog never left his yard, and was in need of ongoing medical attention.
On Thursday, Sims said prosecutors consulted both the dog owner and St. Charles police about dismissing the case, and they were supportive.
"This guy has been vilified on the Internet," Sims said, referring to comments about the owner on media Web sites that covered the story. "But he was actually a complete gentleman, and he was fine with the decision."
Aviles, a college student with no prior criminal history, had complained that the situation caused her to lose an internship she needed to complete a medical assisting program.
"I'm married and have a daughter. I'm working and trying to go to school to better myself," she said in December. "Why would I trouble myself to steal a dog?"
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<li><a href="/story/?id=347621">Accused thief says dognapping was misunderstanding <span class="date">[12/31/09]</span></a></li>
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