Desperate search for Leo the labrador-cross, stolen from Brunswick home

The owners of Leo the Labrador-cross believe a heartless thief may have waited for a window of opportunity to steal the dog after seeing him at a nearby park.

The owners of a black labrador-cross have made desperate pleas to whoever is behind the dognapping of their beloved pet from a Brunswick home.

Speaking with the Herald Sun on Tuesday, Courtney Beaumont, 28, and Lucas Brown, 33, shared the gut-wrenching moment they realised their two-year-old pup, Leo, had been stolen from the front yard while they went out to get groceries on Sunday afternoon.

The couple said they noticed a blacked-out silver Toyota Kluger sitting idly outside their Park St home as they left for the supermarket about 4pm.

“It had been sitting out in front of the house for an hour, just waiting for us to leave,” Ms Beaumont said.

The two-year-old black labrador-cross was taken by a man from his Brunswick home on Sunday. Picture: Courtney Beaumont

Lucas Brown and Courtney Beaumont appeal for public help after their dog Leo was stolen from their Brunswick property on July 30. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Leo has been missing since Sunday afternoon. Picture: Courtney Beaumont.

Due to the heavily tinted windows, Mr Brown said he figured it was a mobile speed camera, common to the area.

“We noticed it when we left but didn’t think anything of it,” he said.

Police released CCTV of the alleged offender walking across the street and returning to the vehicle — fitted with stolen registration plates TCD849 — with Leo in tow.

The vehicle was observed on CCTV sitting outside the property from 3.30pm until the time Leo was walked out of the property, about 4.16pm.

When the couple returned from the shops, they noticed the car and Leo had disappeared.

“The last 36 hours have been torture,” an emotional Ms Beaumont said.

The couple thought it was strange when Leo did not embrace them at the gate upon their return home.

“Normally he would be waiting out the front, even if we left for 10 minutes or so.”

Mr Brown said they walked around the house looking for him and when they realised he wasn’t there, their “hearts sank.”

The car allegedly involved in Leo’s dognapping on Sunday. Police believe the plates on the vehicle are stolen. Picturee: Victoria Police

Two-year-old Leo has been missing since Sunday afternoon. Picture: Courtney Beaumont

Ms Beaumont said she felt sick after watching the footage of Leo being lead from their property to the vehicle.

“I felt like I wanted to throw up because someone wanted to take Leo,” she said

“It’s just really distressing and awful.”

Both Ms Beaumont and Mr Brown live across from a dog park where they often walk Leo.

They believe it’s possible the assailant scoped out Leo that afternoon and waited for a window of opportunity to steal him.

“For anyone that’s got a dog knows that they are basically a member of the family,” Mr Brown said.

“It’s absolutely one of the most traumatic things either of us have ever been through.

“We just don’t understand why someone has taken him,” he said.

“Just return him, no questions asked.”

A social media campaign has been launched to bring little Leo home. Picture: Courtney Beaumont

Lucas Brown and Courtney Beaumont with a picture of their dog Leo. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Mr Brown said the response from the community after sharing their ordeal on social media had been “really great” - but they were looking to keep that momentum going.

Sen-Constable Jessie Coletti said police would investigate the origin of the stolen plates, but finding information on the car would be “more difficult.”

“We are pleading for that person to come forward and speak to police,” Sen-Constable Coletti said.

Police have not yet identified the offender, but believe the person is male.

The couple said they will offer a $10,000 reward for the return of their dog, appealing directly to the offender to do the right thing and return Leo.

Anyone with information or CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 33 00 or make a report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.