BERLIN, Vt. (WCAX) – A stolen 16-year-old dog is back home after a burglary and police chase in Berlin on Sunday.
“They could have taken everything we own, but not the dog,” said Alex Hunkins of Berlin.
Alex and Kaylin Hunkins had just arrived at the home of Alex’s parents in New York when they saw footage from their doorbell camera showing a woman attempting to enter their Berlin home.
“We felt very helpless not being here,” Kaylin Hunkins said.
Police identified the woman in the video as Ashley Lynch, 26, of Barre City. Authorities say Lynch entered the home through a different unlocked door and took Fiona, the family’s 16-year-old pit bull lab mix.
A 16-year-old dog named Fiona was allegedly stolen from her Berlin home during an alleged burglary and police chase.(WCAX)
“I had a bad feeling that something, she was acting strange. Then I called my friend and he came over and confronted her,” Alex Hunkins said.
Witnesses say Lynch then fled with the dog, stole a nearby car and drove away. Berlin and Montpelier police gave chase as Lynch headed up Crosstown Road at high speed.
Police caught up with Ashley Lynch when they say she abandoned a stolen car and attempted to flee in her own vehicle.(Courtesy: Montpelier Police)
“Lost the vehicle due to speed and you know it’s a gravel road and you know we’re trying to be safe ourselves,” said Berlin Police Det. Cpl. Daniel Withrow.
At some point during the chase, it appears Lynch stopped and left Fiona at a home on Crosstown Road. The dog was later found unharmed.
“She had climbed up onto someone’s porch to get out of the sun, and they gave her a can of tuna fish and some water apparently,” Alex Hunkins said.
Police later caught up with Lynch back at the Hunkins’ home, where authorities say she abandoned the stolen car and attempted to flee in her own vehicle. Lynch is now awaiting arraignment on multiple charges.
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