KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
September 23, 2020
By Natalie Cook Clark
When a man stole a vehicle from a Katy gas station last week, he also drove off with a passenger – a Katy family’s dog. The owners posted pictures of their pup, Spot, on social media and offered a reward for his safe return.
Spot is safely at home with his family. All pictures courtesy: Kristy Lapoint
Vehicle, Dog Stolen from Katy Gas Station
On Friday, Spot, an 8-year-old pit bull mix, was stolen along with his family’s vehicle from the Mobile gas station at Kingsland Blvd. and Westgreen. The owners immediately asked for the community’s help in their search and offered a reward of $1,000 for his safe return. Spot’s abduction captured the hearts of many residents as they, too, hoped for a happy ending.
A Desperate Search
“We were desperate,” says Kristy LaPoint. “We thought someone would definitely come forward if there was money.”
“I haven’t eaten or slept for days,” says John Blake. “Spot is everything to us.”
On Saturday, the vehicle was recovered at the Katy Mills Walmart. But there was no sign of Spot.
Following the Suspect
“I was up at the police department asking and got the case number,” says John. “I followed him when he was transferred.”
The suspect was transferred to the Harris County Jail off of San Jacinto. John followed, knowing that this was his best lead to finding Spot.
The Community Responds
In the meantime, people responded to the numbers on Spot’s flyer.
“We had so much outreach and support from the Katy community,” says Kristy. “We didn’t expect much attention, and it was nice, but still we needed Spot.”
“It was actually the reward money that got him to talk,” says John, who had found a dog-loving officer at the jail to help him talk to the suspect. “Not the greatest character but he gave us an address.”
The address led John and Kristy to an apartment complex off of West Orem and Almeda.
“We were ready to go door to door,” says John. “But then Kristy called me and said she had him.”
Spot Waited in the Rain
“He was just sitting there in the rain,” says Kristy of the emotional moment when she saw him. “I almost drove past him. He was just sitting there waiting for us. He jumped in the car and I had him.”
Kristy hugged Spot and got out of there, anxious to get him home.
"It was a bad area of town," says John. "I'm amazed that he was just sitting there."
Spot was hungry and dirty. He was welcomed home with hugs and kisses, his favorite treat of hamburgers, and a bath.
"We don't know what happened to him while he was away from us but he is home and happy," says John. "It was torture not having him here."
John has had Spot for about seven years. He found him in the Essex crane yard in Arcola, TX.
“I’d go to work, and he was there at my parking spot each morning ready for the day,” says John. “He’d follow me on my crane and eat lunch with me. He picked me.”
Spot Enjoys a Treat
“We are so thankful for everyone who helped us search for our boy,” says Kristy.
Kristy and John, along with their 10-year-old and 6-month-old baby, are doing better now that Spot is safe and back home.
The man who stole the vehicle with Spot inside will not be getting any of the reward money.