Colorado puppy thieves fake seizure to steal dogs from pet store in heist caught on video: police

In a bizarre and brazen heist that unfolded in Centennial, Colorado, a group of suspects is now on the run after pulling off a daring theft at a local pet store. The incident, which was captured on surveillance video, involved a man who allegedly faked a seizure to distract store employees while his accomplice snatched two pedigree bulldog puppies valued at $4,299 each. The theft occurred on Sunday afternoon at Perfect Pets, a family-owned and operated pet store that specializes in puppies. Police have identified Timothy Davis, 37, as one of the suspects, who was arrested at the scene and now faces charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, theft, and drug possession. However, three other suspects remain at large, and authorities are working to track them down.

The heist began when Davis, who has been named as the primary suspect, pretended to have a seizure while browsing the store. The distraction drew the attention of a store employee and a woman who appeared to be a mother with her two young children. While the group tended to Davis, another male suspect slipped away to the back of the store. Surveillance footage shows this suspect reaching into a display case and grabbing the two bulldog puppies before making a swift exit. As the suspect fled, an employee attempted to confront him, shouting, “Hey, what are you doing? Hey, no, stop, stop!” The video then shows the suspect knocking over an employee as he ran toward the store’s exit. Despite being tackled to the ground and dropping the puppies momentarily, the suspect managed to pick them up and escape through the front door with the help of another man.

The getaway car, described as a gold Cadillac Escalade with no license plates and heavily tinted windows, pulled up to the store, and the two suspects jumped inside. A fourth suspect, believed to be a female driver, was behind the wheel. Authorities have not yet released a description of this individual. The incident has left the community in shock, with many expressing outrage over the theft of the valuable puppies. Bianca Larsen, the manager of Perfect Pets, revealed that one of the stolen puppies had been intended for a friend, while the other was destined for a fellow pet store owner. Larsen expressed her heartbreak over the situation, stating, “It’s sad that this puppy doesn’t get to go live this amazing life with a deserving family and home instead because someone doesn’t have any morals.”

In a heartwarming twist to the story, one of the stolen puppies was returned to the store on Monday night. A Good Samaritan, who had purchased the puppy for $1,500 from a street vendor in north Denver, recognized the dog from a news report about the theft and immediately contacted authorities. The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office shared photos of store employees reuniting with the puppy, expressing gratitude for the kind stranger’s actions. Perfect Pets has announced plans to reward the woman for her honesty and role in reuniting them with the stolen dog. While this offers some hope, the other puppy remains missing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Police are still searching for the three outstanding suspects, who were captured on surveillance footage during the heist. Investigators have released descriptions of two of the suspects: a black male wearing a large black coat and sweatpants, and a white or Hispanic male wearing a blue and white beanie-style hat with brown hair. The second suspect was seen grabbing the puppies from the display case. The gold Cadillac Escalade used in the getaway is also a key focus of the investigation, as its distinctive appearance and lack of license plates make it a significant lead.

The incident has not only left the pet store reeling but has also sparked widespread concern in the community. Perfect Pets, which prides itself on being an independent, family-owned business, has been overwhelmed by messages of support from locals and puppy lovers alike. The theft has highlighted the lengths to which criminals will go to commit crimes, as well as the power of community and kindness in bringing justice. As the investigation continues, authorities are hopeful that the remaining suspects will be apprehended soon, and the second puppy will be reunited with its rightful owners. For now, the return of one puppy serves as a reminder of the good that can emerge even in the face of adversity.