Carol Shaw, administrator at the Silverado Senior Living Center in San Juan Capistrano, says the group of residents with early-stage dementia was in their routine walk at 9:30 a.m. when one of the dogs that walks with them went of its leash and ran off.
Shaw said a man in a white van pulled up and offered to help. Instead, he picked up the dog, put him in the van and drove away.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident.
Anyone with information on the suspect or the dog, a Labrador-Dachshund mix named Boots, is asked to call (949) 240-0550.
