Clairton couple face charges in dognap caper

A Clairton couple faces charges of dognapping a Chihuahua and taking more than $1,200 in cash and merchandise from the North Huntingdon kennel where they worked.

Police said Alexander Erb and Allyson Klein, both 18, of 439 Ohio Ave., are accused of taking a brown-and-white Chihuahua, valued at $600, $1,256 in cash and three dog collars valued at $18 from Puppies by Dishong, located in GDC Plaza on Route 30, on Dec. 28.

Police discovered an open vent cover at the shop during a routine patrol of the plaza around 12:45 a.m. An investigation revealed the theft was "an inside job done by employee," so police contacted Klein for an interview, according to a criminal complaint.

When police told Klein that there were cameras in the building and business owner Tom Dishong was coming to the police station, she began to cry and told them Erb took the dog, cash and dog collars and intended to "make it look like someone broke in."

Klein said after Erb brought home the money and dog, they went to Wal-Mart and bought a car seat, pacifiers, toddler cups, clothes and food, police said. Klein went to work the day after the theft and pretended to have discovered the break-in, which she reported to police, according to the criminal complaint.

Erb was charged with theft, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief, while Klein was charged with receiving stolen property.

They face a preliminary hearing before North Huntingdon District Judge Douglas Weimer on Feb. 20.

Debbie Dishong, of Commodore, Indiana County, said she and her husband, Tom, have been dog breeders for 30 years. They own a kennel in Johnstown, as well as rent the space at the North Huntingdon plaza to sell their puppies and dogs. She said about 30 dogs are housed in the kennel.

Dishong said she was pleased police were able to break the case.

"The puppy was returned to us unharmed, and we got some of the money back," she said.

Dishong said Erb and Klein had been employed at the kennel for a only short time before the incident.