Stolen Chihuahua puppy returned to pet store ‘safe and healthy’
BY BRIAN STANLEY bstanley@stmedianetwork.com February 4, 2013 9:08PM
A a 2-month-old Chihuahua was stolen Friday night from Furry Babies at the Louis Joliet Mall in Joliet. | submitted photo
A man walked out of a pet store with a 2-month-old Chihuahua under his coat Friday night at the Louis Joliet Mall in Joliet, but the puppy was returned to the store Monday evening “safe and healthy,” according to police.
Detective John Ross said no arrests had been made, and the investigation was ongoing. Police did not give details on how the dog was brought back.
Surveillance video showed a man entering Furry Babies about 8 p.m., going to a crib that contained three dogs and picking up a 1.5-pound female puppy, police said. They said the man was carrying a flannel coat over his arm and spent a few seconds stroking the puppy in front of other customers before putting it under the coat and leaving the store.
“He was in the store for less than a minute,” said the store owner, who identified herself only as Ana.
Employees noticed the theft a few minutes later and called police.
Mall security video reportedly showed the man still carrying the coat as he walked outside at the J.C. Penney/Tilted Kilt entrance.
