Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Warren Man Charged After Police Trace Lost-Dog Ransom Demands

Police say social-media messages led them to the pet through a phone number tied to a Warren address.

Overview

  • Lamarzay Tolbert, 21, is charged with receiving and concealing stolen property after a family's search post for their missing dog drew cash demands.
  • Detectives traced the social-media messages to a local phone number and found the Alaskan Klee-Kai, Disel, at the suspect’s home in Warren.
  • Officers arrested the man after he refused to surrender the dog, and another person in the home then handed Disel to police for return to the family.
  • The dog had run away April 25 from a home on Waltham Street, and by April 29 the family was getting messages claiming a purchase and demanding cash for the return.
  • Prosecutors set a $1,000 cash/surety bond at a May 2 arraignment, and officials urged residents to report ransom-style messages as investigators continue digital forensics.