Less than seven hours after the puppy was stolen, it was recovered.
MCKINNEY, Texas — McKinney police have found a 10-week-old German Shepard puppy who was allegedly stolen from a Petland store Wednesday.
According to a news release from Petland, the puppy was stolen from the store at 3190 S. Central Expressway around 10:15 a.m. The store said surveillance footage caught the suspect arriving at the store, wearing a head cover with the lower half of his face covered.
Once the suspect was inside, Petland said an employee greeted him. The suspect then spoke with the employee and asked if he could visit with the puppy on his own.
Petland said the suspect went to a playroom that was close to the front door and acted as though he was filling out a credit application. Within five minutes of the employee bringing the puppy to the room, Petland said the suspect grabbed the puppy and ran to the door. However, he was met by an employee who was stationed at the front.
According to Petland, the employee asked for the puppy, but the suspect refused and ran outside. After a short foot chase from the employee, the suspect ran into a nearby housing development, Petland said.
The pet store said the puppy is microchipped and has been reported stolen.
While the suspect was on the run, Petland said a passerby was able to take a photo of him with the puppy. According to Petland, the suspect is tall, thin, and wearing glasses. Petland added that the suspect was wearing a green cap, dark pants, and a dark t-shirt with an image of Betty Boop on it.
The McKinney Police Department said they have identified the suspect; however, his name was not released.
Just after 4 p.m. Wednesday, McKinney PD confirmed to WFAA that it had arrested the suspect and safely recovered the stolen puppy. The 10-week-old pup is back at Petland McKinney.