Dog, Stolen SUV Returned To Family: Montgomery County Police

BETHESDA, MD — A dog that was left inside a stolen car Tuesday night has been reunited with his family, according to Montgomery County police.

Authorities said the car thief was caught after he tried to drop the dog, Joey, off at the county's Animal Services and Adoption Center. The suspect has been identified as 24-year-old Malik Gillispie, of Germantown.

According to police, Gillispie was arrested after an adoption center employee — who had known about the stolen car and dog — recognized the vehicle he was driving to drop off Joey. Gillispie was also wearing the same clothes he had on when he was caught on surveillance video stealing the car, they said.

Gillispie is accused of stealing the family's vehicle and dog Tuesday night from a parking garage at the Westfield Montgomery mall in Bethesda. Police said the car was left running and unattended.

"This incident is a reminder to all of us to never leave our vehicles running and unattended," police said in a statement. "We're happy that Joey is back home with his family!"