South St. Paul Police seek advice on stolen pickup truck and dog

South St. Paul Police are asking the public for help in locating a pickup truck that was stolen Saturday morning with a dog inside.

The department posted a crime notice on its Facebook page describing the stolen vehicle as a silver 2013 Chrysler Town & Country pickup truck with the Illinois license plate AH26052.

“As history has shown us, many vehicles stolen during the cold months are used for transportation and then thrown away,” the post said. “We ask that you take a look outside and up and down your block… Let’s reunite this puppy with his human tonight south of St. Paul!” “

Police asked anyone seeing the van or having information about it or the dog to call 911.

Police said they were still actively searching for the van and dog on Saturday night.

Dog owner Michelle Cramblett Baker also shared a Facebook post saying her van and dog, Jasper, were picked up from the enVision hotel in South St. Paul on Saturday morning. Jasper is a boxer who is in town for the Land O’Lakes Kennel Club Dog Show in downtown St. Paul.

“I was 15 feet away and watched my whole world walk away,” Cramblett Baker wrote. “… Please, please bring my dog ​​back to a safe place !!!!”

Cramblett Baker said Jasper was in a kennel in the van when he was taken away. She posted a photo of herself with Jasper on Friday celebrating her victory as the best of breed at the dog show.

A GoFundMe page has been launched to help Cramblett Baker find Jasper. She offers a “big” cash reward for information leading to Jasper’s recovery.