Five People Arrested In Connection With Theft Of Lady Gaga’s Dogs

Five people were arrested and charged in connection with the kidnapping of Lady Gaga‘s dogs in February. Gaga’s dog walker, Ryan Fischer, was shot four times and two of the dogs were stolen by the attackers.

Los Angeles police said on Thursday that James Jackson, Jaylin White and Lafayette Whaley, were involved in the robbery and shooting of Fischer. They have all been arrested on charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit robbery and second-degree robbery. Police said they do not believe the dogs were targeted because of their famous owner. However, police said they believe the attackers knew the dogs were a valuable breed.

Jackson also faces one count of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and one count of felon carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle. White faces one count of assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury.

Two other people, Harold White and Jennifer McBride, were found to be accessories after the shooting. Each face one charge of accessory to attempted murder. Harold White also was charged with one count of possession of a firearm, and McBride faces one count of receiving stolen property, the Los Angeles district attorney’s office said.

McBride reported that she found the dogs, responding to a reward email for their return. Gaga previously offered $500,000 to the person who returned her dogs.

McBride returned the dogs to the police station, but police said they later discovered McBride had a relationship with one of the other men who were arrested.

“This was a brazen street crime that left a man seriously wounded,” George Gascón, the Los Angeles County district attorney, said in a statement. “We have alleged very serious charges in this case and have faith that justice will be appropriately served as this case unfolds in court.”

The defendants were expected to be arraigned on Thursday, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. It is unclear if any of the defendants have lawyers.

The robbery took place on Feb. 24 on Sierra Bonita Avenue in Hollywood. Fischer was walking three French bulldogs at the time. Surveillance footage showed a car the pulled up to Fischer and two people got out of the car.

Fischer could be heard yelling no and the people pushed him to the ground. A gunshot was heard before the attackers took the dogs, got in the car and fled the scene.

The district attorney’s office said that the dog walker had struggled with Jackson, White and Whaley and had been shot by Jackson.

Fischer addressed what happened to him on Instagram shortly after the attack. “I felt your healing support! Thank you,” he wrote. “I am humbled and grateful that attention and focus from the police were enough to get Koji and Gustav back to safety and I know they are committed to bringing these criminals and attempted murderers to justice. I am so appreciative of everything you continue to do.”