Woman Gets Jail Time For Extortion Over Lost Dog
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- A woman who tried to extort money from the owners of a lost dog has been sentenced to 10 days in jail.
Elena Vatamaniuc, 57, of Hagerstown was also fined $500 at sentencing on Tuesday. She had pleaded guilty to extortion of less than $500.
According to court documents, a 1-year-old dog escaped from its owners in August. The owners posted signs in their neighborhood seeking the animal.
Two days later, a woman called, said she had the dog and asked if there was a reward. The owners offered $50, but the woman said she wanted $200 and they could get the dog back when they had the money.
The owners called police, who found the dog at the woman's home.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
