LOS ANGELES (KTLA) — It was a scary moment, all caught on camera, as a woman clung to hood of a speeding car after her French bulldog was stolen in downtown Los Angeles.

Ali Zacharias was enjoying lunch with her dog, Onyx, at a Whole Foods at around 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 18, she told NewsNation’s affiliate KTLA.

Onyx was sitting underneath Zacharias’ chair when suddenly, a woman began calling to the dog while approaching the table. 

The woman then grabbed Onyx’s leash and began to walk away with him. 

“I didn’t think that somebody was stealing my dog,” Zacharias recounted. “I thought it was a misunderstanding, so I said, ‘That’s my dog. Excuse me,’ and she wasn’t listening.”

The suspect continued walking outside to a getaway car that was awaiting her.

“I tried to follow her into the car, but I got in there and there were four people in the car,” the victim said. 

The suspects pushed her out and locked the doors. Thinking fast and hoping to stop the thieves from escaping, Zacharias decided to step in front of the car while screaming for help.

“Nobody came and the next thing I know, the car is driving into me and I fell onto the hood,” she said.

Harrison Pessy was crossing the street when he suddenly heard tires screeching and a woman screaming. 

He quickly captured video of Zacharias clinging tightly to the hood of the car as it drove off at a high rate of speed. You can see that video in the player at the top of this story.

“They sped off and unfortunately took this woman with them,” Pessy said. “If someone tried to steal my dog, I’d probably try to kill them myself. It’s devastating that someone would take someone’s animal.”

“It was horrifying,” Zacharias recalled. “As [the car] started to go faster and faster I’m like, ‘I’m about to die. This is my death. Right now. I’m about to die.’”

The suspects continued driving down several blocks before making a sharp turn that eventually threw Zacharias to the ground.

The suspect vehicle is described as a newer model white Kia Forte sedan with a missing hubcap on the driver’s front side. 

“The woman who stole my dog was African American, as were the other three people in the car,” Zacharias said. “There were three females, all overweight, and there was a male driving. No tattoos. They were all wearing sweats and t-shirts.”

Police have obtained surveillance footage from nearby cameras as they work to identify and track down the thieves.

“They’re going to follow the street cameras to try and get the rest of the license plate,” the victim said.

The victim’s dog is described as a black Merle French bulldog with a spotted coat and different colored eyes, making him more distinct.

“They stole my child away from me, “ Zacharias said. “I’m just praying that I can get him back.”

She is now offering a substantial reward for Onyx’s safe return. Anyone with information can call Zacharias at 626-264-7923 or call the Los Angeles Police Department at 1-877-275-5273.