Thieves Hit Two North Texas Pet Stores, 9 Puppies Stolen
COLLIN COUNTY (CBSDFW.COM) - Police are on the lookout for the suspects who stole a total of nine puppies from two separate North Texas pet store locations. One of those crimes was caught on tape.
According to Plano police, seven puppies were taken from the Petland location on Coit Road in Plano and two puppies were taken from Petland in Frisco.
Surveillance video captured the suspects using a hammer to break the glass entrance door at the Plano location. The thieves came in with suitcases and a laundry basket and used the items to take the animals from the store.
Lisa Abair owns the Petland store in Plano and is convinced the breakins are related. "It's an awful big coincidence that it happened the same night. We have never seen anything like this, where someone has just broke in and taken a basket full of puppies out," she said.
Half an hour after the first burglary, the thieves struck again, at a Petland in Frisco. "They knew what they wanted," said store manager, Josh Nie.
This time, the two men did the job in less than 60 seconds, according to Nie, and snatched a pair of English bulldogs, worth an estimated $3,500 each.
"It's shocking. They're not TVs. They're not cash registers. Nobody cares about those things. They're two baby dogs that somebody took," said Nie.
Both stores say they're concerned anyone who would steal a puppy isn't worried about its best interest.
"They're not concerned for the welfare of the puppies," said Nie.
In Plano, though, Abair said, she was relieved to find one of the missing puppies, which she believes slipped away. "This is the one who escaped," she said holding up at Daschund. "I honestly think she sensed something wasn't right."
In all, the puppies taken are valued at about $12,000.
Because the thieves knew exactly where to go, the store owners believe they must have been there before. Both stores are reviewing surveillance video, looking for anyone suspicious.
While the burglaries are serious crimes, Petland officials said, "The puppies are babies and the primary concern is for their health and well-being."
Abair believes the puppies may be put up for sale illegally. "They stole them to sell them, more than likely at flea markets and places like that."
Anyone with information about the burglaries or the suspects involved is asked to contact the Plano Police Department at (972) 424-5678 or Frisco police at (972) 292-5000.
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