Thief stole a SLO County woman’s car — and her dog with it. Have you seen Annie?
A Cambria woman is hoping for her dog’s safe return after she was stolen — along with her car — Friday afternoon.
Valentina Nuciforo, a Cambria resident of 20 years, told The Tribune she drove her son’s 2009 Black Honda CRV and parked at 2579 Main St. in Cambria around noon. Her dog Annie, a 12-year-old female Samoyed, was inside the vehicle.
The Honda CRV’s license plate is 6GDP242, Nuciforo said. Annie, who weighs about 50 pounds, does not have a collar or microchip.
Nuciforo parked the car in a shaded spot in the parking lot near the ambulance center and rolled the windows down for the dog. She said she dropped the keys on the floor of the vehicle because she was just quickly grabbing a coffee and spices.
About 30 to 40 minutes later, Nuciforo said she returned to where she parked, only the car — and Annie — were missing.
“I thought I was imagining things,” Nuciforo said. “I’ve never had a car stolen before, in town nonetheless. In our little town. Things don’t happen like that, but I guess they do.”
She immediately called the CHP, which responded and dispatched multiple units, including air units, to look for the vehicle, according to CHP spokesperson Ryan Armstrong. Armstrong said the CHP has been unable to locate the vehicle, but said anyone who thinks they’ve seen it should report it to 911.
Dog rescued by family more than a decade ago
Nuciforo said she and her family rescued Annie from a San Diego rescue that helps rehome stray dogs found in Tijuana, Mexico, when the dog was just a year old.
Now, 11 years later, Annie remained a beloved member of the family who loves people.
“If they took her, she probably licked them and thought, ‘This is fun, where are we going?’” Nuciforo said.
Nuciforo said she cares more about Annie’s safe return than the car and hopes that whoever stole her car at least returns Annie. She said she is worried for Annie to be alone in the streets with potential to be hit by a car.
“I hope to get her back. That’s what I hope for,” Nuciforo said. “I’m fearful they took the car and than maybe they just decided, ‘Oh, she’s a friendly dog, we’ll just take her, too.”
Annie is all white with charcoal smoky rings around her brown eyes. She was wearing a purple Ruffwear harness at the time of the vehicle theft. Nuciforo said Annie will respond to her name when called.
