Police: Dispute over missing pit bull leads to beating, arrest

Police arrested one person and are looking for another after a man reported being kidnapped and beaten over a missing pit bull.

A 23-year-old man told police that he was asked to go to a residence in the 1500 block of North Hydraulic on Monday night, Wichita police Lt. James Espinoza said. Once he arrived, two men there tied him up and assaulted him.

They were looking for “a prize dog” that went missing while the victim was watching over it, Espinoza said. The missing dog was one of a half-dozen pit bulls being kept at the house who were put in the care of the victim while the suspects were away.

After he was beaten, Espinoza said, the victim was released. He waited 12 hours before contacting police.

When officers went to that address, they obtained a search warrant and found evidence “to substantiate the victim’s claim of being tied up and injured,” Espinoza said. Weapons were also found at the house.

A 21-year-old man who lives there was arrested. Police are still looking for a 26-year-old man who is believed to be the second suspect in the case, Espinoza said.

Investigators aren’t sure why the victim waited so long to notify police. All of the people involved are documented gang members, he said.

This story was originally published February 3, 2016 at 1:32 PM with the headline "Police: Dispute over missing pit bull leads to beating, arrest."