Palmetto Bay suspect seized military vehicle, abandoned dog inside.
Andrew Lee Jansen, 28, was arrested in Palmetto Bay, Florida, on Saturday. Miami‑Dade Sheriff’s Office officials said Jansen had fled after being hired by Colorado resident Andrew Beckham to care for his home and dog during deployment.
Beckhoff reported that in early April his dog, Maverick, and Jansen vanished while Beckham was overseas. The same period saw the theft of Beckham’s blue Subaru. Surveillance footage from the house shows Jansen and the vehicle leaving on April 2.
The stolen Subaru was located in Denver about a month later, with Maverick found dead inside. Denver police are investigating the circumstances of the dog’s death.
Jansen was taken into custody after he prevented Miami‑Dade Fire Rescue from assisting Beckham’s father, who was being transported to Jackson South Hospital. An off‑duty deputy identified Jansen at the hospital and arrested him.
He was transported to Turner‑Guilford‑Knight Correctional Center and is scheduled for extradition to Colorado to face charges related to the vehicle theft and the death of the pet.