Dog missing after AR bank robbery, police chase

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A dog owner is crying for help after her vehicle was stolen and used in a bank robbery out in West Memphis. The vehicle has been recovered after that suspect was captured but the dog is still missing.

Friday morning, an armed suspect led a chase with West Memphis Police after trying to rob an Evolve Bank and Trust.

The suspect has been identified as 35-year-old Freddie Najil. Najil faces multiple charges, including theft of property under $10,000 and carrying a weapon while being a convicted felon.

AR bank robbery suspect captured after chase into downtown Memphis

Arkansas State Police led the pursuit across the old I-55 bridge over the Mississippi River. Police say Najil got out from there on foot.

Police say he was caught at this intersection off of West Carolina Avenue and Channel 3 Drive. A weapon and an undisclosed amount of cash were recovered during the arrest. The pursuit ended in under an hour.

Before the suspect was accused of attempting to rob a bank out of West Memphis, police say he stole the vehicle used in the armed robbery here at a Fresh Market.

The victim, Lynn Bugg, says her dog was still inside.

“I think that they must’ve taken the car almost immediately after I was out of sight,” Bugg said.

Bugg gave WREG pictures of Yoshi, who is a 15-year-old German Shepard-Husky mix. She says right now all she wants is help getting her dog back.

“She would be very skittish from what I could imagine, but she is also going to be pretty desperate, so if someone lets her know they are a safe person she probably would respond,” Bugg said.

Najil at this time is still being held here at the Shelby County Jail. The search for Yoshi is still ongoing.

If you have any information regarding this incident, call Memphis CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

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