Man on probation arrested for stealing dog and threatening to report owner for neglect if she didn’t pay him

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Freddie Lee Edwards Jr., 42, was arrested yesterday on a warrant for extortion and grand theft after allegedly stealing a dog and telling the dog’s owner he would report her for neglect if she didn’t pay him $150.

A Gainesville Police Department officer reported that the victim was pumping gas on July 21 when she briefly stepped away from her vehicle and returned to find her dog, a Maltese-Poodle mix valued at $825, missing. About an hour later, a man, later identified as Edwards, called the phone number on the dog’s collar and said he had found the dog; however, instead of returning the dog, Edwards allegedly accused the owner of neglect and said that if she did not pay him $150, he would call law enforcement and report her for animal neglect.

Out of concern for her dog’s safety, the victim agreed to meet Edwards, and she reportedly gave him $150 in the presence of witnesses; he returned the dog after receiving the payment.

The victim reportedly provided the officer with pictures of Edwards during the exchange, and witnesses confirmed her account.

Edwards has been charged with extortion and grand theft. He has 13 felony convictions (one violent) and 12 misdemeanor convictions (three violent); he has served one state prison sentence and was released in 2010. He is on probation for felony battery and has a Notice to Appear for driving without a valid license (second or subsequent offense). Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $35,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.