A pet store in Centennial, Colorado, was robbed for the second time this month when thieves used a fake medical emergency to steal two puppies. The incident happened on Friday at around 1:30 p.m. at Perfect Pets, according to the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office.
The store’s owner, Jens Larsen, said three suspicious-looking men entered the store separately. They asked about two English bulldog puppies, which were kept in a locked pen at the back of the store. Each puppy was priced at $4,299.
Suddenly, one of the men collapsed to the ground, pretending to have a seizure. Concerned customers and store employees rushed to help him, and an employee even started calling 911. While everyone was distracted, another man quickly went to the back, unlocked the case, and grabbed the two puppies.
An employee noticed what was happening and tried to stop the thief. Other workers also attempted to block his way. One employee tackled his leg, but the thief fought back, kicking a worker in the face. He then fell, dropping the puppies, but managed to pick them up and run outside.
Several people chased after him, but he and another suspect escaped in a gold Cadillac Escalade. Police believe a female driver was also involved, but they have not yet identified her.
The man who faked the seizure, 37-year-old Timothy Dais, has been arrested and is facing charges for theft, conspiracy to commit a felony, and drug possession. However, the three other suspects are still on the run.
This is not the first time the store has been targeted. On February 12, two women stole puppies in a separate incident. One woman hid a puppy in a baby stroller, while the other grabbed a dog and ran. Both incidents were captured on security cameras, but the suspects have not been caught.
According to Larsen, bulldogs, especially French bulldogs, are common targets for thieves because they can be resold for high prices, sometimes between $3,000 to $10,000.
To help recover the stolen puppies, Perfect Pets is offering a $1,000 reward for each dog’s return and $2,000 for information leading to the arrest of the thief who ran away with the puppies.
Police are still investigating and searching for the remaining suspects.
