Joey, a 12-year-old collie mix missing after his owner's car was stolen while the dog was inside Thursday morning, has been reunited with the owner.
ABC15.com reports that Joey was found wandering around the far East Valley Friday, tired but in good health.
Three suspects arrested by Chandler police said they dropped the dog off behind a grocery store near Alma School and Riggs roads.
About 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Carol Denmead of Sun Lakes left her red 2005 Pontiac running with the air conditioner on to keep Joey cool while she went inside a Walgreens drugstore near Alma School and Riggs. When she returned a few minutes later, the car and Joey were missing.
Authorities believe that in addition to auto theft, the three people in custody used the car as they were committing other crimes before officers conducted a traffic stop.
Dustin Enos, 27; Rachel Belgarde, 32; and Vince Nish, 37; were all arrested on suspicion of auto theft.
Belgarde and Nish were released from prison earlier this year and now face having their parole revoked.
Nish spent one year in prison on a manslaughter charge and promoting prison contraband offenses. Belgarde served a three-year sentence for drug-related offenses, according to Arizona Department of Corrections records.
chick posted at 11:23 am on Sat, Jun 18, 2011.
UPDATE
Dog found in Sacaton. (AZ Family)