MOLINE, Illinois - A Silvis man, who was suspected of theft, was allegedly in such a hurry to get away that he ran over his own dog.
Robert Vaughn, 31, was suspected of theft at Menards, 6400 44th Avenue in Moline, Illinois, just before 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 13, 2016. Vaughn's white van was in the lumber yard area and, when store employees began to investigate their suspicions, Vaughn jumped into his van and rammed the lowered wood gate to try to get out of the lumber yard, according to Moline Police Department Public Information Officer Detective Scott Williams.
"However, when the suspect opened the van door, his German Shepherd jumped out of the vehicle," Det. Williams said. "In the suspect's haste to escape, he shut the door on the dog's leash, leaving her outside (the vehicle)."
Despite panicked yelling from store employees and others, the dog was repeatedly run over by one of the van's rear tires, Williams said.
The dog, which was micro-chipped and later identified as named Miley, was killed. That micro-chip led police to Vaughn, who is from Silvis.
Vaughn was charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Police said Vaughn was taken into custody on Monday evening, May 16, "after a short vehicle pursuit and a foot chase in East Moline and Silvis."