Dog stolen from Milwaukee teens at gunpoint on Christmas Eve

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The unthinkable happened on Christmas Eve. Two teenage boys were held at gunpoint and their dog was stolen from them.

Milwaukee police said it all happened near north 37th Street and Ruby Avenue.

It's a holiday memory the family said they won't forget soon.

"I feel very confused because who just walks out on Christmas Eve and try to like take a dog from some little kids," said 13-year-old Caiden Chambers.

Caiden and his older brother, 14-year-old Isaac, said they were walking down their block with their dog Symba, when they said people in a car stopped to compliment their 1-year-old cockapoo. But shortly after that compliment was paid, a man walked up to them, showed a gun, and demanded they hand over their childhood pet.

"He said, 'Where are you going? I'm going home,' he said. 'Not with this dog, it's not yours,' and I said, 'you aren’t going to take it,' and he said, 'I'll shoot you over this dog,'" said 14-year-old Isaac Chambers.

The robbery came as a terrible shock to the boys' parents.

"I immediately jumped in my car, which way was they, at which way did they go, and just went," said Tysha Chambers, mother of Isaac and Caiden Chambers.

Tysha said the family has had Symba since the fall of last year, and now that he's missing, their home feels different.

The boy's father, Fred Chambers, said this act of cruelty has left a mark on the kids.

"Empty-handed and scared, they came back with fear," said Fred Chambers.

And while grateful for the boys' safety, the family hopes their beloved pet will find his way home.

"It's very hard, I just want him to come back home. I just want my dog back home," said Tysha Chambers.

The Milwaukee Police Department said they are looking for unknown suspects. Anyone with information is asked to contact MPD or Crime Stoppers, at 414-224-TIPS.