News Summary
In Austin, Texas, a shocking dog theft and shooting incident has left the community in fear. The violence began with a man demanding a dog from its owner, resulting in gunfire and a stolen French bulldog. Authorities quickly apprehended the suspect, but another dog theft occurred, raising concerns among residents. Thankfully, the stolen dog has since been reunited with its owner. The Austin Police Department is urging anyone with information about ongoing dog thefts to come forward to help ensure safety.
Austin Police on the Hunt Following Shocking Dog Theft and Shooting Incident
In Austin, Texas, a bizarre and alarming string of incidents has unfolded in East Austin, raising serious concerns among dog owners in the community. As of now, local authorities are seeking the public’s assistance in connection with the troubling events that took place in early February 2025.
The Start of the Chaos
The series of events began on February 2, 2025. It was a sunny afternoon when a victim was out and about walking his two beloved dogs in the 1100 block of Shady Lane. Little did he know that his day would take a terrifying turn. As he strolled along, he was approached by a man named Raderrick Harvey, who pulled up in a vehicle and suddenly started asking about one of the dogs—the victim’s French bulldog named Freya.
What began as a casual conversation quickly escalated into a life-threatening encounter. Harvey demanded the victim hand over Freya, who was undoubtedly the star of the show with her unique looks and charming demeanor. When the victim bravely refused to comply with the demands, Harvey became aggressive and shocking, shot the victim in the foot. The violence didn’t stop there. After the gunshot rang out, Harvey made off with Freya and, in the process, injured the victim’s other dog by running it over.
The Aftermath
Fortunately, the second dog only sustained minor injuries, but the entire neighborhood was shaken. Such a brazen crime, especially involving defenseless pets, left many people in disbelief. Within days, on February 4, the police apprehended Harvey in nearby Elgin, thanks to the quick response of the Elgin Police Department and the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office. During his arrest, authorities found him armed with two rifles—a menacing AK-47 style pistol and an AR-15 style pistol. In addition, they also discovered a small quantity of illegal drugs in his possession.
Although Harvey was captured, Freya was still missing at the time of his arrest. Luckily, the story has a heartwarming twist! It was revealed later that a family member of Harvey stepped in to help and, in a matter of days, Freya was finally reunited with her relieved owner. This brings a sense of hope amidst the turmoil.
More Trouble in the Neighborhood
If this incident wasn’t enough to raise the alarm, there was another shocking occurrence that took place just hours before the shooting. At a Walmart in northeast Austin, yet another French bulldog was stolen in a brazen act of theft. This time, a man named Servando Cruz Jr. allegedly held victims at gunpoint to take a puppy. Cruz managed to flee from the police amidst the chaos, leaving authorities puzzled and on high alert.
Interestingly, the Austin Police Department’s SWAT team later acted decisively by executing a search warrant. What they recovered was nothing short of remarkable: the stolen puppy, several firearms, and even a stolen Corvette! However, Cruz remains at large, with multiple warrants waiting for him, leaving them desperately seeking leads on his whereabouts.
Community Response
As these incidents unfolded, the Austin Police Department has been busy reaching out to the community for help. They’re urging anyone who might have information regarding Freya’s initial theft or the ongoing dog thefts in the area to step forward. Investigators have exhausted all leads, and they’re counting on the watchful eyes of residents to bring these criminals to justice and ensure that such frightening events do not occur again.
The residents of Austin are undoubtedly hoping for a swift resolution to these unsettling incidents, along with safer surroundings for their furry friends.
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Additional Resources
- KXAN: East Austin Shooting
- Wikipedia: Austin, Texas
- KVUE: French Bulldog Theft
- Google Search: French Bulldog Theft Austin
- Statesman: Cedar Park Domestic Violence
- Google Scholar: Domestic Violence Texas
- CBS Austin: East Austin Robbery
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Robbery Austin
- KXAN: Elgin Police Arrest
- Google News: Elgin Police Arrest
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
