Police in New Castle County, Delaware, report that more than $37,000 in jewelry, a Dodge minivan and the pet Chihuahua named "Little-Bit" were stolen during a burglary.
The report from the home along the unit block of Emerald Ridge Drive came in shortly after 3:15 p.m. Monday. The 18-year-old daughter of the homeowner, Michelle Sanchez, said she had just returned home.
"The first thing I did was call my mom and she started screaming and said 'I'm going to call your dad," said daughter Amanda Sanchez. "That's when my little sister ran into the room to look for the dogs and notices Little Bit wasn't in her cage." "She's screaming in the background, "No, No," said Michelle. "I said 'Amanda, what's wrong?' She said, 'They took Little Bit." The car, a 1999 Dodge Caravan Sport, is red in color and has a large dent in the right rear quarter panel. It had Delaware license plates PC 159211.
Also missing were four laptop computers, gaming devices and jewelry.
The family says the material items can be replaced. But they worry what will happen to Little Bit.
"My worst fear is they would inject her with something to get rid of her because she links them to the robbery," said Michelle.
The Sanchezes suspect a relative, hooked on drugs, may be responsible.
"I think she took her because, for a drug addict, $50, $100 for crack or whatever is just that. She's a purebred Chihuahua and she knows that," said Chris Sanchez.
Anyone with information is asked to call New Castle County Police at 302-395-8110.
