Arlington Heights man arrested for stealing dog, police say

An Arlington Heights man was arrested this week on allegations he stole a dog from a front yard in Riverside almost four months ago.

Riverside police Det. David Krull said the man told officers his ex-finance found the dog and gave it to him Nov. 28 because he likes German shepherds. That did not match with what witnesses had to say, Krull said.

"Neighbors saw both of them get out of his red SUV and grab the dog," he said.

Police on Monday arrested James Cochara 23, of the 2200 block of Nichols Road, in Arlington Heights on a theft charge. Cochara, who police said also lived with his mother in Lyons, was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in court July 23 in Maywood.

Krull said Cochara's mom walked into the Riverside Police station last month and said her son had the dog, whose owners had named Hanna. Cochara renamed the dog Lady, Krull said.

"We had posters of the dog hanging all over town, so I think she recognized the dog," he said.

Cochara's mom stopped cooperating shortly after making her statement, but police found the dog May 25 at her home. Officers seized the dog and returned her to her owners the next day.

"They never thought they'd see the dog again, so they were pretty happy," Krull said.