Man and Woman Arrested in Rancho Cucamonga for Stealing Dog from Vehicle, Extorting Money, and Child Cruelty
Photo: stolen dog
Jennifer Lopez and Oscar Ochoa were arrested in Rancho Cucamonga for allegedly stealing a dog out of a car, demanding payment for the dog from the victim, and endangering the lives of young children.
A woman left her small dog in her vehicle while she went inside a store on Day Creek Boulevard on March 14, 2021. She returned to find her car alarm blaring, one of the windows smashed, and her dog nowhere to be seen. She called Rancho Cucamonga police to report the burglary, but officers could not locate any suspects after searching the area.
The following day, the victim got a phone call from suspect Jennifer Lopez (21, Mojave), “who stated she bought the dog from someone in Riverside,” according to the release. “Lopez threatened to keep the dog if the victim did not pay her $1,100 through an app.” The victim did not give in to the demand but agreed instead to perform the transaction in person the next day, informing police of her plans. Arrangements were made for an officer from the Victoria Gardens Substation to pose as the victim.
On March 16th, Oscar Ochoa (30, Mojave) was found standing on North Main Street, holding the victim’s dog. “When the deputies approached Ochoa, he handed the dog over to the undercover deputy assuming she was the victim. Ochoa was detained for questioning,” according to the release.
Ochoa had arrived there in a red Ford F-150, which officers noticed driving away as all this was taking place. Deputies instructed the driver of the truck to pull over. “Lopez was driving the truck with two small children in the vehicle who were not properly secured.” Both suspects were arrested and booked at the West Valley Detention Center for vehicle burglary, extortion, and child cruelty. The victim received her dog back, and the children were put in the custody of Child Protective Services.
“Ochoa and Lopez were later released after posting a $35,000 bail bond,” the release states.
The Rancho Cucamonga Police Department is asking anyone with additional information on this case to contact the Rancho Cucamonga Sheriff’s Station. Anyone can leave an anonymous tip by contacting We-tip at 1-800-78-CRIME or www.wetip.com
