A Colorado pet store experienced its second robbery this month on Friday when thieves orchestrated a fake medical emergency to steal two puppies. The incident occurred at Perfect Pets in Centennial, Colorado, according to the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office.
Perfect Pets, already a target of multiple puppy thefts, faced the latest robbery on Friday around 1:30 p.m. Store owner Jens Larsen reported to ABC News that three suspicious individuals entered the store, each arriving several minutes apart. According to police, these individuals expressed interest in two bulldog puppies, each valued at $4,299, which were secured in a locked pen at the store's rear.
Surveillance footage revealed one suspect collapsing to the ground, simulating a seizure, prompting customers and employees to rush to his aid. While attention was diverted, another suspect accessed the locked pen and seized two male English bulldogs.
An employee spotted the thief with the puppies and attempted to prevent his escape, even tackling his leg before being kicked in the face. The suspect fell, dropping the puppies, but quickly recovered them and fled. Despite a chase by multiple individuals, the thief managed to escape with two accomplices in a gold Cadillac Escalade. Police reported no description of the driver, believed to be female.
Larsen expressed frustration, emphasizing that the thief showed no concern for the well-being of the animals, treating them as mere merchandise rather than living beings.
The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office confirmed the arrest of 37-year-old Timothy Dais, who allegedly faked the seizure. Dais faces charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, theft, and drug possession. Authorities continue to search for the remaining suspects involved in the incident.
This is not the first time Perfect Pets has been targeted. On February 12, a woman reportedly stole a puppy, concealing it in a baby stroller, followed by another woman who grabbed a puppy and fled. Despite security camera footage, the suspects have yet to be apprehended.
Resale potential appears to motivate these thefts, as bulldogs, particularly French bulldogs, are highly sought after. French bulldog puppies can range in price from $3,000 to $10,000, as noted by Tom Sharp, CEO of American Kennel Club Reunite, in a Nightline segment last year.
To aid in the recovery of the stolen puppies and the apprehension of the suspects, Perfect Pets is offering a $1,000 reward for the return of each dog and $2,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the individual who fled with the puppies.
