Five charged in kidnapping of Lady Gaga's dogs

Five people have been arrested and charged for the violent kidnapping of Lady Gaga's dogs, and for shooting a dog walker.

The Los Angeles Police Department said Thursday that four of them were known street gang members, while the fifth was the woman who reported she had found the dogs, and later returned them safely after a reward was offered.

The two bulldogs, Koji and Gustav, were dropped off unharmed at a LAPD station in February.

They were handed over to Gaga's representatives two days after they were snatched at gunpoint by two strangers in a car.

The dog walker, 30-year-old Ryan Fischer, was shot in the chest by one of the suspects as they grabbed the two bulldogs, but he survived.

Another one of Gaga's bulldogs out walking with Fischer escaped and was later found safe by police.

Gaga, who was filming a movie in Rome when her pets were taken, had issued a plea on social media to bring them home, and offered a $500,000 reward.

Police said Thursday that they believe the suspects targeted the dogs because of the value of the breed, not because of the dogs' owner.

According to the Los Angeles District Attorney's office, James Jackson, Jaylin White, and Lafayette Whaley, were each charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit robbery and second-degree robbery.

Jackson, the accused gunman, was also charged with assault and a weapons offense.

Prosecutors said the woman who claimed to have found the dogs, Jennifer McBride, and a fifth defendant, Harold White, were each charged with being accessories after the robbery.

McBride was also charged with receiving stolen property, while White was charged with illegal possession of a firearm.

All five defendants pleaded not guilty on Thursday and were ordered to return to court on May 11.