French Bulldog Stolen in Portage Park Robbery – NBC Chicago

Arm in a sling, Alicja Pierzchala described what happened to her just 24 hours ago as terrifying and heartbreaking.

“I was laying on the sidewalk and they said, you should be thankful nothing happened to you, they didn’t shoot you,” she said.

The 64-year-old suffered a concussion as well as cuts and bruises after being held at gunpoint in her neighborhood of Portage Park. Her beloved French bulldog, Peppa, was taken from her in seconds.

“He yelled at me, give me your dog, then I tried to fight,” she said. “He put a gun here, here and finally here (pointing his head).”

Pierzchala said she was walking Peppa on Wednesday evening near Menard Avenue and Giddings Street when she was confronted at around 7.45pm.

“It was only from a distance that I saw someone passing, then I walked with my Peppa,” said Pierzchala. “She was sniffling and suddenly behind me I felt a pressure on something, give me the dog and instantly he grabbed the dog.”

Pierzchala told NBC 5 that she struggled with the suspect and was doing everything to try to protect Peppa when the thief threw her to the ground.

“My mom is obviously very brave, you know,” her daughter Angelica Pierzchala said. “Who knows what anyone would do in that case?”

Neighbors rushed to help Pierzchala as the suspect flew off with her dog. She saved Peppa just two months ago.

“I always feel like she would come up to me and say hello, my Peppa,” she said.

Pierzchala said Peppa had a rough start in life and was used for breeding. She can’t stop thinking about herself and shares photos on social media hoping someone will find her.

“Give me back my Peppa,” she pleaded.

As the police continue to search for the suspect, Pierzchala and his family just hope that their beloved Peppa will be found safe.

“If you see Peppa, please contact us,” her daughter said. “Take her home. We would really like to have her back with us.

Pierzchala told NBC 5 that police found surveillance video from a neighbor’s camera and officers also recovered the suspect’s cellphone.

It is not known if this phone was stolen. If you have any information about the case, you are urged to contact the Chicago Police Department.