Homeless Man Reunited With Dog Who Was Stolen On The New York Subway

A homeless man was reunited Thursday with his dog after his furry friend was allegedly stolen on the New York City subway.

Charles Williams was reunited with his American Bully pup in the Bronx after a Good Samaritan found the dog and brought it to the police, PIX 11 reported. Detectives called Williams to tell him his dog had been found. Williams told PIX 11 he was “overwhelmed” by the experience.

“Overwhelmed and I want to cry. I’m in a big city in New York, you may not find your dog,” 45-year-old Williams told PIX 11.

“My anxiety was up. I suffer from depression, and I was very depressed. He depends on me, and I depend and him. And I feel like I let him down, and don’t worry, it will never happen again,” he added.

On Sunday, a pup named Rock was stolen from his owner on a subway. We are happy to announce that Rock has been found and is safe.

Watch the heartwarming reunion made possible by our officers at the @NYPD44Pct. pic.twitter.com/82zXL3KkM7

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) August 15, 2025

Williams’ dog was allegedly snatched while he was on a northbound train close to the Bainbridge Avenue and East 206th Street Station around 6 a.m. Sunday, police sources told the New York Post.

Police shared video of the alleged suspect appearing to smirk while he went through the turnstile. Police indicated the suspect was a male between 20 to 25-years-old with a slender build, a black faded jacket, a black t-shirt, shorts, shoes and a Yankees baseball hat, according to the outlet, citing video footage. (RELATED: Dog Rescues 13-Year-Old Boy Who Was Stuck In Foot-High Water In Ravine For Over 75 Hours)

Williams has had his dog, Roc, since April 2024, the New York Daily News reported. He has been homeless for a month after losing his job as a restaurant chef at Kennedy Airport. Williams said he was on the train when Roc was allegedly snatched to “keep cool” and beat the city’s sweltering heat. Williams also claimed the man who took Roc was sitting right across from him on the train.

“Roc was sitting under me. [The other guy] was looking at him, you know, making little eyes at him. I paid no attention,” Williams explained to the New York Daily News. He said he “dozed off” and when he woke up, Roc was gone.

Upon reuniting with Roc, Williams said Roc is not just a pet, but his family.

“To some of us, our animals aren’t just pets, they’re family. And my dog’s not just my pet. He’s my family. He’s like my son,” he told the outlet.