Undocumented DirecTV Installer Allegedly Stole Customer's Bulldog Pup

A San Bernardino man who worked as a DirecTV installer has been accused of grand theft for allegedly returning to a customer's residence and taking an English Bulldog puppy valued at $2,500, according to the Sheriff's Department.

The incident that led to an arrest occurred March 8 on Holly Brook Lane in Victorville, deputies said in a statement Friday.

Eduardo Robles, 38, was working for a subcontractor who performs installations for DirecTV and he did an installation at a residence on Holly Brook, deputies said.

"Later the same day, a surveillance camera captured Robles returning to the customer's residence and using a ladder to dismantle a latch on the customer's backyard gate," Victorville Station personnel said.

"The surveillance footage showed Robles enter the customer's back yard and exit a short time later carrying the customer's English Bulldog puppy in his arms," deputies said.

Victorville detectives located and arrested Robles on Thursday March 28 at an address in the 6900 block of Glasgow Avenue in San Bernardino, according to inmate records.

Detectives also recovered the English Bulldog puppy at another nearby residence and reunited the puppy with its owner, deputies said.

Robles was booked at Victor Valley Jail on a felony charge of grand theft of a dog. His bail Friday evening was listed at $175,000.

But further investigation showed Robles is undocumented and a recently deported felon, deputies said. He was being held without bail pending confirmation of his immigration status, according to inmate records.

Detectives learned Robles had been using the name Wence Benitez Gonzalez, and he was in possession of false identification bearing that name, Victorville Station personnel said.

Anyone with further information was urged to call the Victorville Station at (760) 241-2911.

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