CENTENNIAL, Colo. — A Centennial pet store was once again targeted by thieves after a brazen puppy theft at Perfect Pets Friday.
Security video of the incident shows at least four suspects were involved, including one who the shop manager told Denver7 faked a seizure to create a distraction.
Bianca Rose Larsen, the manager of Perfect Pets, located at 6840 S. University Boulevard in Centennial, said two English bulldog puppies valued at $4,299 each were stolen during Friday's incident.
Watch security video of the incident in the player below:
She looked over the surveillance footage with Denver7 and described what happened.
"I have watched that video so many times, and it doesn't get any less brutal or any less disturbing," Larsen said.
The video begins with a male suspect talking to an employee at the counter. Moments later, another suspect inside the store falls to the floor in what the shop’s owner told Denver7 was an attempt to create a distraction by faking a seizure.
During the alleged stunt, the male suspect at the counter moves to the back of the store, takes out two puppies from a display cage, and runs to the front of the business as employees try to stop him.
A brief struggle ensues, and the suspect drops the puppies on the floor. However, the suspect scoops them back up and manages to flee in what employees described as a Cadillac Escalade.
Centennial
Centennial pet store frustrated with repeated puppy thefts
"I could not even believe just the way that the guy treated these dogs. They were like pieces of meat. He just ripped them out of there," explained Larsen. "They're screaming. They're crying. Both of my girls made a very valiant effort to stop him. I'm really proud of them."
This was the second theft at the pet store this month. Another took place on February 12, when a woman stole a puppy by hiding it in a baby stroller.
"It's just so frustrating, you know, having to come into a work environment that should be so enjoyable," said Larsen. "I had so much anxiety and just fear and aggravation in my head as I'm trying to work and help people and find new, forever homes for our puppies all day Saturday."
Larsen said the store is offering "our biggest reward yet" of $4,000 for the safe return of both puppies and the arrest of the person responsible.
The suspect who faked a seizure was arrested Friday at the store, according to the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office. Timothy Davis, 37, facing charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, theft, and drug possession.
The other three suspects got away in a gold Cadillac Escalade.
On Monday, the sheriff's office announced that a Good Samaritan returned one of the stolen bulldog puppies after seeing a news story about the theft. She told deputies that she purchased the puppy from a street vendor in north Denver for $1,500.
After learning the puppy was stolen, she called Perfect Pets, according to the sheriff's office. The pet store plans to give her a reward.
Authorities are still searching for the second bulldog puppy. Anyone with information is urged to call the tip line at 720-874-8477.
Denver7's Maggy Wolanske contributed to this report
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