Gunpoint puppy thief gets 20 months in prison

VANCOUVER, Wash., April 23 (UPI) -- A Washington state man accused of stealing an English bulldog puppy at gunpoint was sentenced to 20 months in prison.

Jajuane Etheridge, 23, of Vancouver pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of stolen property in Clark County and was sentenced Monday by Judge David Gregerson to 20 months in prison, The (Vancouver) Columbian reported Tuesday.

Investigators said Etheridge responded to a Craisglist post advertising puppies for sale near Portland, Ore., and he met the couple Oct. 19 in the parking lot of the Clackamas Town Center mall in Happy Valley. Etheridge allegedly brandished a gun and stole the $2,000 puppy, Harpo, and took the animal to his Vancouver home, police said.

Authorities said Etheridge's ex-girlfriend, whose daughter was allegedly the intended recipient of the puppy, alerted police and he was arrested Oct. 21 after a three-hour standoff at his home.

Etheridge also faces charges in Clackamas County for first-degree robbery with a firearm, second-degree robbery with a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon. He waived extradition, Clark County Deputy Prosecutor Mike Dodds said.