BERWYN, Ill. An Illinois family is pleading for answers and any information that could lead to the safe return of their beloved dog.

On Sunday afternoon, Rafael Corona’s white 2017 Subaru Forester SUV was stolen from his garage in an alleyway near Cermak Road and Ridgeland Avenue. Inside was his 14-year-old tan and white Pomeranian, Wally.

Around 1 p.m., Corona and his family were loading up the SUV and preparing to go to the laundromat.

“As I was coming down, my dog followed me. I let him in the car and turned the car on to warm it up, didn’t think much of it. I quickly circled back to grab some bags for laundry and help my wife with our two-year-old,” Corona said.

“As I got to the garage, it was empty.”

Corona said he immediately ran outside, called 911, and began frantically looking for any sign of the SUV or Wally. His family has gone door-to-door and talked to nearby businesses about checking surveillance cameras. On Monday, they’re hanging flyers in the area to help reach more people.

“We’ve sent out information to all the local shelters, we’ve posted on multiple Facebook groups, community pages,” Corona said.

Surveillance video from a neighboring business showed a person lingering in the alleyway Sunday afternoon. The person can be seen walking in the direction of the garage before the camera cuts to the white SUV traveling down the alleyway.

“The car can be replaced, you know? It sucks that I got my car stolen, but it sucks even more that part of my family’s missing, and we don’t know where he’s at or if he’s safe or not,” Corona said. “He’s not just a dog.

“He’s like my best friend.”

The SUV bears Illinois license plate BW 76698, according to Corona.

Hit-and-run crash

About 30 minutes after Corona’s SUV was stolen, around 1:34 p.m. Sunday, Illinois State Police said troopers responded to a report of a hit-and-run crash on the outbound Eisenhower Expressway near Harlem Avenue. ISP said the vehicle at fault was described by witnesses as a white Subaru Forester before it left the scene of the crash.

ISP said the Subaru was the same one reported stolen out of Berwyn. No injuries were reported in the crash, which remains under investigation.

It’s not knowing where Wally is or how he might be that Corona’s family says is the hardest part. His sister, Francisca Corona, is heartbroken for her brother’s family.

“We just don’t know where he is. It’s hard. It’s hard to not know and be looking and not even know where to start,” Francisca said.

Wally was actually Francisca’s dog many years ago before Rafael adopted him. Both said the senior dog still resembles a puppy and has plenty of life left in him and they have plenty of love to give.

“We just want our boy back. We really miss him. He’s part of the family,” Corona said.

Anyone with information should reach out to the Berwyn Police Department’s Crime Tip Hotline at 708-749-6564.

Additionally, Corona’s family is offering a $1,000 reward for any information that leads to bringing Wally home safely. He can be reached at 773-584-7739.