Burlington police recover stolen French bulldog Bluey, arrest Bryan Torain

Burlington police recovered Bluey, a French Bulldog puppy stolen from an apartment at the Pointe Apartments, 2008 S. Mebane St., during a Jan. 2, 2026 break-in, and arrested 25-year-old Bryan Keishawn Torain, authorities announced Feb. 27. The puppy was reunited with owner Maria Acuna after investigators located Bluey and took Torain into custody.

"Officers arrested Bryan Keishawn Torain, 25, and charged him with two counts of secret peeping, one count of breaking and entering, one count of felony larceny and one count of larceny of a dog. Torain is being held under no bond," a report of the arrest stated. Burlington police said the investigation into the burglary and theft remains ongoing.

An arrest warrant described additional allegations tied to the Pointe Apartments burglary, saying Torain took pictures of Acuna and stole $10,000 in savings as well as more than $12,000 worth of property in the incident that also took Bluey, the warrant claims. Local reporting also indicates Torain faces other pending larceny, burglary and theft charges out of Alamance County.

Acuna described the scene inside her apartment after the Jan. 2 incident, saying the door was broken, the screens were slashed open and the windows were broken, and that her daughter's room was "completely trashed." Acuna told reporters she and her family were traumatized and plan to move after the break-in and theft.

Acuna spoke publicly after Bluey was returned, saying, "We were heartbroken. We felt violated." She added a message for others searching for missing pets: "To everyone out there who are missing their pet, don’t lose your hope … In the beginning, we didn’t think we were going to get her back, but miracles happen, and they do exist." Acuna and local outlets said Bluey has shown behavioral changes since the recovery, including panicking when the lights are turned on, and that the family will take the puppy to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Reporting on Bluey's age at the time of the theft varies; several outlets and social posts described Bluey as two months old when taken, while another report described the puppy as four months old. Police or the owner have not published a firm confirmation of Bluey's exact age.

Burlington Police continue to ask anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 336-229-7100 or submit an anonymous tip via the P3tips mobile app or online; tips that lead to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward up to $2,500. The department has not indicated whether the recent Walkertown animal cruelty incidents reported nearby are related to the Pointe Apartments burglary.