WEST HOLLYWOOD —West Hollywood deputies say two people were arrested after a dog named Baby was allegedly kidnapped in West Hollywood and held for ransom. On Sunday evening at around 6:45 p.m. on May 2, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of kidnapping on the 800 block of Larrabee. The victim reported that a man and woman had held her against her will and stolen her dog. The male is identified as Jonathon Matta, 42, of West Hollywood. His alleged partner in crime was identified as Meghan Mahoney, 37, of Los Angeles.
After the victim made the report then sought treatment at Cedars-Sinai Hospital for undisclosed reasons, sheriffs returned to the scene to investigate at around 9 p.m. It became apparent to detectives that one or both of the suspects were known to the department due to previous encounters. The victim called deputies back to her home early the next morning at about 1:30 a.m. to report that a suspect had returned to ask for a ransom for the woman’s Chihuahua. They allegedly wanted $500 for the companion animal. She reported that the male suspect left the scene on a mountain bike with the victim following him closely by vehicle. Deputies caught up with the pair at Alfred and Romaine, where deputies apprehended the man and the victim identified him.
Los Angeles County sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore stated, “They were arrested on unrelated outstanding warrants in other matters. The investigation involving the allegations surrounding the taking of the Chihuahua is still ongoing, so I have no comments to make in this matter.” Whitmore says the victim was able to offer help to investigators in apprehending the suspects because she knew Matta and Mahoney and gave deputies information about them. Whitmore added, “They were being held by the Beverly Hills division at some point this week; however, I am unsure if they have actually been released on the unrelated charges.”
The L.A. District Attorney’s office sent the alleged dognaping case back to detectives for more investigation. Calls to the District Attorney’s office were not returned by press time.
