A dog owner was heartbroken and horrified after his dog was found dead in his stolen truck on July 8 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A female suspect has been arrested in relation to the carjacking and dog’s death.
According to a report by CBS-affiliate WAFB, the dog’s owner, David Mohr, had his truck stolen from outside Pelican Doughnuts in Baton Rouge on Sunday. He had left his dog, Roleaux, inside the truck, with the air conditioning running.
“A man went into a store when a woman jumped in his truck that was left running and unlocked and began to pull away,” a statement from the East Baton Roughe Sheriff’s Office read. “The victim attempted to stop her, but she pulled away causing injuries to the victim.”
Mohr suffered two fractured hips and other minor injuries, authorities said in the statement.
On the following day, the truck was found, and Mohr’s dog, a Labrador-Weimaraner mix, was found dead inside.
SAD BREAKING UPDATE: Family confirms to @WAFB that Roleaux has died and an arrest has been made in the case after the truck was located. David tells me the woman will be charged with attempted murder, theft of a vehicle, cruelty to an animal pic.twitter.com/aP8VE7FKq7
— Scottie Hunter WAFB (@ScottieWAFB) July 8, 2019
A woman, 30-year-old Leslie Aguillard, was arrested on July 8 and charged with theft of a vehicle and theft of an animal, as well as cruelty to an animal, attempted second-degree murder and theft.
A person alerted police of the location of the truck after they spotted Aguillard on July 8 walking around South Sherwood Forest—the same area the truck was found. Police said in the statement that they found Roleaux the dog dead inside “due to apparent heat exhaustion.”
Local news outlet The Advocate reported, citing the arrest report, that Aguillard had admitted to stealing the truck by force, and she locked Roleaux inside the truck before tossing the keys to the truck—which resulted in Roleaux’s death from heat exhaustion.
According to the outlet, Aguillard is listed as homeless and had an outstanding misdemeanor bench warrant when she was arrested.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Mohr said of Roleaux, “He was my king,” appearing emotionally devastated by the news of Roleaux’s death.
“HE WAS MY KING”: Heartbreakingly raw reaction from Roleaux’s owner just moments after finding out he died of heat exhaustion after being snatched yesterday by a woman on Tigerbend Road. @WAFB pic.twitter.com/jNx5g0sdwa
— Scottie Hunter WAFB (@ScottieWAFB) July 8, 2019
“She’s got issues and she can figure those out while she’s rotting in jail,” he told WAFB. “She took away one of the most single important things in my life.”
Mohr told the news station that he had rescued the dog from a shelter five years ago, just days before Roleaux was scheduled to be put down.
“I’ll cherish him for the rest of my life. It’s been 30 years since I had a dog and he was perfect,” Mohr told WAFB.
Mohr recalled to the news station of how he was dragged across the asphalt when the truck was put in reverse as he tried to grab onto one of the vehicle’s doors, then still open, to stop Aguillard from getting away.
He told ABC-affiliate WBRZ that he was dragged some 10-15 feet.
“Roleaux is the man, the beast, the pet, the companion, the comrade.” Story: https://t.co/HyUkUE2VBz pic.twitter.com/dqQskBy8LJ
— WBRZ News (@WBRZ) July 9, 2019
A witness told investigators that the truck owner tried to stop Aguillard, but she drove off, dragging him until he fell.
She then “quickly accelerated forward and ran over the victim’s groin area,” The Advocate reported, citing the arrest report.
A photo posted to social media showed the truck leaving the scene.
Sheriff Sid Gautreaux said in a statement following Aguillard’s charges: “I’m heartbroken for Roleaux’s family at this tragic outcome.
“I am grateful, however, to the community for stepping up and helping us locate this suspect. I’m proud of our detectives for their diligent work in this case.
“Praying for the victim’s speedy recovery and for healing for their entire family.”
