Bike Thief Stops Mid-Burglary To Pet Victim's Dog: San Diego Police

SAN DIEGO, CA — When given the opportunity to prove its mettle as a guard dog, one San Diego pet opted instead to make a new friend.

Surveillance footage released by the San Diego Police Department shows a man in the midst of stealing a $1,300 bicycle from a garage being greeted by a cheerful and fluffy pup.

“In a rather peculiar turn of events, as the suspect was about to make his escape, he paused to pet the household dog who had entered the garage,” police said Thursday in a Facebook post.

The encounter occurred around 10:40 p.m. July 15 in the Pacific Beach neighborhood, according to police.

The video shows the man exiting the garage with the bike when the dog — who appears to be a golden retriever — trots into the garage through the door from the house, tail wagging. The thief couldn’t resist the canine’s charms.

“Hi buddy,” the man said, briefly returning the bike to the garage and giving the friendly animal pets and belly rubs. “You’re the coolest dog I’ve ever known. I love you too.”

The thief did eventually make off with the bike and the dog watched him go, the video shows.

The stolen bike is a 2019 black Electra three-speed with eight-ball caps on the tire valves, an eight-ball logo on the frame and a rear wheel frame with a checkered black-and-white pattern, police said.

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact police.