Authorities in Colorado are searching for a group of thieves who stole two high-priced bulldog puppies from a pet store in a bold scheme involving a staged medical emergency.
The theft, caught on surveillance cameras, took place on Sunday at a suburban Denver pet shop. Watch the video below.
According to the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, three men entered the store separately, pretending to be interested in the puppies, each valued at $4,299.
One of the suspects, a 37-year-old man, suddenly collapsed, appearing to suffer a seizure. As store employees rushed to assist him, another man lifted the lid off a pen containing the bulldogs, grabbed two of them, and ran towards the exit.
An employee tried to stop the thief but was unsuccessful. The suspect briefly dropped the puppies but quickly picked them up again before escaping with a second accomplice. Both men fled to a waiting gold Cadillac Escalade with tinted windows and no license plates.
Meanwhile, the man who faked the seizure recovered and left the store as well. However, his attempt to avoid suspicion did not last long, as investigators later arrested him on charges including conspiracy to commit a felony, theft, and drug possession.
Following the incident, one of the stolen puppies was returned after a woman purchased it for $1,500 from a street vendor. She recognized the dog from news reports and immediately contacted authorities.
According to Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office’s post, Perfect Pets is grateful for being reunited with the dog and plans to give her a reward.
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Law enforcement is now working to locate the remaining stolen puppy and identify the other suspects involved in the crime. The sheriff’s office has urged anyone with information to come forward.
Watch the video below.
