UPDATED: A 43-year-old Darra man has been charged with one count each of stealing and trespass in relation a dog that was allegedly stolen from a property at Palm Beach on Sunday. He is due to appear in the Richlands Magistrates Court on January 14.

Police will allege a man entered a Tahiti Avenue property at around 1pm on Sunday and stole a dog.

The dog — Linc — was safely returned to his owner this week, and a man was taken into custody on Wednesday afternoon.

The Palm Beach-based Down family had been frantically searching for their 20-month-old American Staffordshire terrier Linc after they returned home on Sunday afternoon to discover he’d been taken from their gated property.

Days later the family received an anonymous tip off that Linc would be handed over at Yatala.

DOG SNATCH CAPTURED ON CCTV

MILLION DOLLAR PARKING CASH GRAB

media_camera The moment Kath Down got her stolen dog Linc back from the thief.

“Kath (the dog owner’s mother) went to Yatala and took Linc from the man who stole him and he then ran away,” said an elated Brooke Down.

“Kath’s friend who waited in the car took photos of him before he got away.

“Line is now back at home safe and sound.”

Kath Down said the man changed the meeting points several times throughout the morning but eventually appeared at the pick-up spot on foot and crying.

“He kept saying sorry over and over again,” said Ms Down.

“I’m so relieved, I was so scared he’d been taken into one of those dog fighting rings.”

The family would like to thank everyone who shared their story on social media and helped in the search.

The story went national when the Gold Coast Bulletin released CCTV vision that showed a man had jumped the fence and tied a rope around the happy pup’s neck before putting up the garage door and walking calmly from the home.

Social media exploded as Gold Coast Bulletin followers joined the search. The posts reached more than 200,000 people, were shared more than 2000 times and generated hundreds of comments.

media_camera Footage of a man taking Linc went viral on Monday, leading to the return of the dog.

“Kath (the mother) went to Yatala and took Linc from the man who stole him and he then ran away,” said an elated Brooke Down.

“Kath’s friend who waited in the car took photos of him before he got away.

“Line is now back at home safe and sound.”

Kath Down said the man changed the meeting points several times throughout the morning but eventually appeared at the pick-up spot on foot and crying.

“He kept saying sorry over and over again,” said Ms Down.

“I’m so relieved, I was so scared he’d been taken into one of those dog fighting rings.”

The family would like to thank everyone who shared their story on social media and helped in the search.

media_camera Missing dog Linc and CCTV still from the family of man seen playing with dog not long before he went missing.

EARLIER: A DISTRAUGHT Gold Coast family is installing $10,000 worth of security cameras and motion detectors after a brazen thief snatched their beloved dog from their home.

Jackson Down returned to his Tahiti Ave, Palm Beach home on Sunday afternoon to discover that his 20-month-old American Staffordshire terrier Linc was stolen.

Disgusted, he is appealing for the man caught on camera taking his “best friend” to come forward.

“I’m absolutely devastated,” Mr Hudson, 21, said.

“I can’t believe someone could just come to our home in broad daylight and take our dog.”

The family already had two security cameras in place when Linc was dognapped and everything was caught on screen.

media_camera Jackson Down was desperate for the return of his stolen dog Pic: JERAD WILLIAMS

The footage was posted online and has since gone viral nationally.

NEWS: FAMILY PLEADS FOR MAN CAPTURES ON CCTV TO COME FORWARD

Mr Down’s mum Kath said a man with dreadlocks can be seen hanging around the house for a while before jumping a fence to steal the dog.

“On the CCTV footage we can see that he hung around for a long time, sitting on the footpath, drinking a Jack Daniels can,” she said.

“He walked up and down, sat down and drank in the gutter.

“Every now and then he walked back up to the gate to call the dog.

“Eventually he jumped the neighbour’s fence to get access to our property.”

After convincing neighbours with a semi-believable storyline, the man then wrapped his rope around the dog’s collar and casually walked out through the garage door.

“The neighbours told us they felt really bad after they realised what happened,” Ms Down said.

“But who was to guess someone could do something like this ... it’s ridiculous.”

Forensic police arrived the next day and took a swab from the alcohol cans for DNA testing.

Officers said they do not have a suspect and they are appealing for public assistance to find the dog.

But the Down family is leaving no stones unturned, offering a generous reward to anyone who returns Linc home.

“I’ve been driving around the coast, from Yatala to Tweed Heads, handing out flyers to vets, pet stores and local businesses,” Mr Down said.

“I miss my dog every day that goes past ... we’ve had him since he was a tiny little puppy with blue eyes.

“People say big dogs like that are scary but he never barks, not even when someone is in the house.”

Anyone who recognises the man from the footage, or who has seen ‘Linc’ is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Join us on Facebook!