A dog and car were stolen in Jackson County.
Police are searching for 33-year-old Jeffery Joseph Balius Jr. He is wanted for Motor Vehicle Theft and Dog Theft and by MDOC.
Police say the theft occurred on August 18 in the St. Martin community of Jackson County.
The vehicle is a 2019, red, Volkswagen Jetta, with MS tag #JGK8090 and VIN #3VWC57BU4KM196237. The vehicle plate has a paw print tag cover around it. The dog is described as a Black Labrador Retriever, named Harley. He was last seen wearing a pink and green flamingo collar with a red harness.
The victim of the crime, Grace Holley, said that her dog is her best friend. She adopted him when he was 10 months old from a foster family in Kansas. Grace said she was living 13 hours from anyone she knew when she started college so her dog was her support system and best friend.
Harley is 54 pounds and is very anxious. Grace said she will not approach people
“Harley means the world to me, she’s the closest thing to a child I have and considered her a support dog without registering her. She just turned 4 this month, barely a week past her birthday she was ripped apart from her family. I’ve taught her basic commands and she has slept on my bed everyday for years. She has not had her foor or anxiety meds for weeks and I’m terrified for her. I feel like a parent who has failed my child.”
If anyone sees Harley, she will be very skittish. Please call Grace, 228-327-3539.
Balius is described as a white male, 6-6, approximately 259 lbs, blue eyes, brown hair and has a suspended MSDL.
If you have information on his whereabouts, contact Crime Stoppers by downloading the app, P3 Tips, or by calling 1-877-787-5898.
Crime Stoppers pays CASH rewards for information leading to the arrest of individuals on felony charges.
To qualify for the reward, the information must come through Crime Stoppers.
