Woman Carjacked with Dog Inside Worries the Suspect Wanted Her Pet for Dog Fighting

MATTHEWS, N.C. – A woman who was carjacked in a Matthews shopping center parking lot now says her pet may have targeted for dog fighting.

Michelle Rodriquez says a man held a knife to her stomach and stole her car with her 10 year old boxer inside.

“She loved being around people. she was such a good dog,” said Rodriguez.

She says she is heartbroken and upset now that her dog has passed away just hours after being reunited with family.

“She started throwing up last night and she just fell over and when my sister got here, she passed away,” explained Rodriguez.

It was hours earlier that Rodriguez and her family were celebrating the return of their family dog “Sissy” after a traumatic carjacking.

“He pushed me to the corner where the car door opens and put a knife to my stomach,” described Rodriguez.

Sissy had already jumped into the truck. The suspect grabbed Rodriguez’s keys and took off with the dog still inside.

“I think they slung her around the back a lot,” said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez is convinced Sissy died because of the ordeal.

“Obviously we’re going to look into additional charges if the suspects had something to do with it,” said Tim Aycock with the Matthews police department.

Police were ultimately able to track down the suspects thanks to a Gizmo watch equipped with GPS. Michelle says her daughter left it in the back of her truck and they were able to track the watch and tell police where to find the suspects.

“The last address I gave them it was real quiet for a minute and then I heard them say we have them at gunpoint,” explained Rodriguez.

Police arrested Keri Camps, and Curtis White in Salisbury. They’re charged with possession of stolen property.

Rodriguez says animal control told her Sissy may have been targeted for dog fighting.

“I don’t know if they thought she was going to fight, because she is a big dog,” said Rodriguez, “but she is not aggressive.”

A family pet now gone. Rodriquez left with fond memories of her dog regularly accompanying the kids to the bus stop.

Camps and White are due in court Friday. Police say it’s possible they could face additional charges.