Stolen puppy returned to mall store
By Brian Stanley bstanley@stmedianetwork.com February 5, 2013 6:54PM
A a 2-month-old Chihuahua was stolen Friday night from Furry Babies at the Louis Joliet Mall in Joliet. | submitted photo
Updated: March 7, 2013 6:31AM
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,” police said.
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.
On Monday, Ana received a phone call from a woman who wouldn’t identify herself but asked to meet her around 6:45 p.m. in front of the mall.
“She gave me the puppy and we took her home. She’s doing great and a vet said she was healthy (Tuesday) morning,” she said.
Detective John Ross said no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
