Dog Dumped From Stolen SUV, Teen Arrested: Authorities

UPDATE as of 9:45 a.m. Monday from the Middletown Police Department: "Luna is HOME! There was an early morning sighting called into MPD, the owners were able to locate Luna and she jumped right into their car! She’s in good health and receiving lots of love! THANK YOU all for the assistance! It’s always great when the community comes together and the end result is happy!"

Original story: MIDDLETOWN, CT — A dog is missing after a teen stole an SUV with the pet inside Saturday night in Middletown, police said.

Malik D. Awuah, 19, of Hartford, is charged in connection with the incident on counts of vehicle larceny, interfering with an officer, engaging police in pursuit, reckless driving and animal cruelty, according to law enforcement.

Officers were called around 8:45 p.m. to the area of Broad and College streets after a 2020 Chevrolet Trax was stolen with a grey pitbull mix named Luna inside while the owner delivered food in the area, police said.

Authorities used OnStar to track the vehicle to Ballfall Road, but the thief sped away from police, driving recklessly and ignoring stoplights, according to law enforcement. OnStar personnel remotely slowed the vehicle — allowing officers to catch up with Awuah on Route 372 in Cromwell — and disabled the SUV as he tried to merge onto Route 9 South, police said.

Awuah ran away but was quickly apprehended and held on a $100,000 surety bond, according to police.

While the vehicle was found, Luna was no longer inside, police said, adding Awuah admitted to leaving the dog in the road near a large apartment building shortly after stealing the SUV. Police believe she may have been dumped near South Main Street and Pameacha Avenue.

Luna was still missing Sunday afternoon, according to police, who said she is friendly and up-to-date on her shots. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call authorities at 860-638-4100.