On August 26, 2026, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives were contacted by a victim regarding the alleged theft of their Yorkshire Terrier from their property in Hineston, LA. According to the initial complaint, the owner returned home Sunday, August 23, 2026, and discovered their dog missing.
Patrol deputies responded and took the initial report, and the complaint was forwarded to the Criminal Investigation Division for follow-up investigation.
Through their investigation, Sheriff’s Detectives obtained photographs and video of a contract delivery driver in a personally owned gray Nissan Altima making a delivery at the residence. Further investigation also showed the driver on the victim’s property with the alleged stolen dog.
With the assistance of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office, contact was made with the possible suspect, identified as Valita Di Yar Shipp of Leesville, LA. As their investigation continued, Sheriff’s Detectives, working in conjunction with the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division at Fort Polk, were able to establish sufficient probable cause that supported the original allegations. An arrest warrant for Shipp was obtained, as well as a search warrant for her residence.
Contact was made with the U.S. Army CID at Fort Polk, and the search and arrest warrants were executed on Fort Polk by military law enforcement personnel, VPSO and RPSO. Shipp was located and taken into custody without incident, placed under arrest and transported to the Vernon Parish Jail, where she was booked for one count of theft $1,000-$5,000.
The Yorkshire Terrier was located in good condition and released to the rightful owner.
RPSO would like to thank the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office as well as the U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division for their assistance in this investigation.
“All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law or administrative action.”
Arrestee: Valita Di Yar Shipp
137 Meeks Court, Fort Polk, LA
Charge: Theft $1,000-$5,000