Local veteran’s car stolen with his dog inside, family offering cash reward for beloved pet’s return

MOUNT PLEASANT, Pa — State police are investigating after they say a man robbed an elderly man in the parking lot of a local store.

According to Willard Martz, a man came up behind him after he got out of his car at Tractor Supply Company in Mount Pleasant, took his keys out of his left pocket, and then ran off and stole his car.

Martz’s dog, Lucky, was inside.

“Lucky is the most important thing in this house. It all revolves around Lucky,” Linda Folino, Martz’s daughter, said.

“He’s family,” Martz added.

The unknown suspect took Martz’s keys right out of his pocket.

“He had his hand in there!” Martz said.

The thief ran to Martz’s car and sped off, with Lucky inside.

Police say the suspect is likely in his 40s.

Martz remembers he had long hair and had a long beard.

“He just looked, unkempt, if you want to use that word for it,” Martz said.

Martz’s son found Lucky as a stray and had him from 2015 until he died in 2020 from muscular dystrophy.

Lucky’s been with Martz ever since, a companion while Martz fights cancer.

“He’s doing for me what he did for my son,” Martz said. “Motivation.”

Martz’s car is a silver, 2016 Ford Focus with PA license plate KVR-6440 and a “retired Marine” plate on the front.

The robbery happened just out of sight of the security camera.

“If anyone has any information, we would love to hear from them. You have no idea what little tidbit of information might be the part that breaks the case,” Trooper Steve Limani said.

The family is offering a $500 reward for Lucky to come home. He’s wearing a collar with tags and is chipped.

“He is the most important thing. Cars can be replaced, but no two dogs are the same,” Martz said.

If you have any information, call the Pennsylvania State Police or 911.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

©2024 Cox Media Group