Police reports

The following accounts were taken from reports filed with the Columbia County Sheriff's office.

Stray dog shot by unknown assailant

A Harlem man reported that someone shot and killed a stray dog in front of his home April 23.

Joseph S. Maddox Jr., of the 1500 block of Powell Church Road, Harlem, said that he was inside his home about 7:30 a.m. April 23 when he heard a gunshot. He went to the front of his home and saw a stray dog he had been feeding for several days dead in his driveway with a gunshot in his chest.

Maddox said he does not know who fired the shot.

Man steals car as salesman prepares sales contract

A salesman at a Martinez care dealership thought he had a sale when a prospect said he was ready to buy. Instead, the man stole a new Lexus.

Paul H. McElmurray, a salesman at Jim Hudson Lexus in the 3500 block of Washington Road, Martinez, said a man arrived at the car dealership April 23 and was interested in a black 2002 Lexus GS300, which sells for about $43,000.

The two men went on a test drive, and when they returned to the dealership the prospective buyer said he was ready to close the deal.

Hogan asked for the man's driver's license and insurance information, and the buyer said he would go to his vehicle to get the information.

Hogan said he went into the dealership to begin the paperwork. A short time later, he looked outside and saw the prospective buyer driving away in the Lexus.

Burglar takes money from veterinarian's office

A Martinez veterinarian reported April 24 that someone broke into his office during the night and took $138 from a cash box.

Veterinarian David C. Tribby said that between 7:30 p.m. April 23 and 8:52 a.m. April 24 someone disconnected his telephone lines and pried open a door to gain access to the Augusta West Veterinary Clinic, 131 Davis Road, Martinez.

He said the person took $138 from a cash box and pried open a drug container but no drugs were missing.