Thief Steals Van--And Dog

By Tim State in News on Sep 27, 2008 5:55PM

They took his van... and his puppy, too. Well, technically not a puppy, but a 13-year-old black labrador named Lilly was in Gene Voss’s delivery truck when it was stolen from his Naperville business.

The lab was dozing on her rug in the rear of the van when the vehicle was swiped Wednesday from the parking lot at One Hour Martinizing Cleaners, the shop Voss owns on Ogden Avenue in the western suburb.

The dog has arthritis, and needs help getting in and out of the van. Voss had left his side-kick of seven years in the van--along with its keys--while he went inside to prepare clothes for delivery. When he came back, the van--and the dog--were gone.

Police said a woman -- described as blond, thin, about 25 to 30 years old -- is being sought for the theft, which occurred about 9:35 a.m. The van is a dark-green, 2001 Chevrolet Venture, Illinois license plate 520 3280. Naperville Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information about the theft of the dog and the van. Anyone with information can call (630) 420-6006. [S-T]