Chicago Man Indicted on Felony Charges After Stealing Pet Boarding Van Containing Multiple Dogs in Lincoln Park

Edwin Herrera faces felony charges after stealing a van full of dogs in Lincoln Park. Chicago police recovered the pets and vehicle in Lakeview.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 4, 2026, 6:32 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from CBS Chicago

A Rapid Escalation of Canine Theft in Lincoln Park

A routine morning for a pet boarding service turned into a high stakes police investigation after a transport van filled with dogs was stolen from a busy street in Lincoln Park. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Tuesday outside the Animal Loves Pet Salon located on North Clybourn Avenue. David Cox, the owner of Markay's Castle of the Dogs based in Tippecanoe, Indiana, was in the process of offloading animals at the salon when an unidentified individual entered the running vehicle and sped away. The sudden theft prompted an immediate mobilization of Chicago police resources as concerned pet owners waited for news regarding the safety of their animals.

Apprehension and Legal Charges for Edwin Herrera

Chicago police have identified 46 year old Edwin Herrera as the individual responsible for the theft and subsequent flight. Following his arrest, Herrera was hit with a litany of charges, including multiple felony counts for the possession of a stolen motor vehicle and the possession of burglary tools. Beyond the vehicle theft, prosecutors have included misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass and animal cruelty, reflecting the risk posed to the dogs during the unauthorized transport. The swift identification and charging of Herrera underscore the priority placed on cases involving the potential harm of living animals during criminal acts.

Tactical Recovery in a Lakeview Alleyway

The recovery of the vehicle took place in an alleyway near the intersection of Lakewood and Oakdale avenues in the Lakeview neighborhood. While the suspect had abandoned the vehicle by the time officers arrived, investigators were relieved to find that every dog remained inside the van. In addition to the rescued pets, police discovered various pieces of stolen lawn equipment that had been loaded into the vehicle after the initial theft. Evidence at the scene suggested a calculated attempt to avoid detection, as the van’s original Indiana license plates had been swapped for Illinois plates in an effort to blend into local traffic.