Crime & Safety

(UPDATED) VIDEO: Store Says Man Caught on Camera Stole 2-month-old Chihuahua

It was a brazen theft of a tiny puppy dog Monday morning, according to Petland Shakopee.

Updated: A man stole a Chihuahua puppy valued at $2,500 from the Petland Shakopee store Monday morning, according to store owner Heather Lacko.

Update: Watch store surveillance video of the incident above.

A flier posted online at helpmefindmypet.com has this description of the incident:

Find out what's happening in Shakopeewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Last Known Major Crossroads: Old Carriage Court North / Old Carriage Court North Location: Shakopee, Minnesota 55379 Message from the Owner: This puppy was stolen from Petland Shakopee on 3/4/2013 at around 11 AM. A man entered the store and asked to see the puppy, once left unattended he grabbed the puppy and ran out of the store. He was around 6FT, wearing a dark coat, and a grey/black knitted hat. He was seen getting into a dark blue Volkswagen Passat with the license plate number 768BDA. It is very important that this puppy is found and returned safely to the store, he is young and requires special medical attention. If you have any information regarding this pet, please contact helpmefindMYPET at 866-699-3463

According to the Star Tribune:

The man was left to play with the dog in a puppy room, and a few minutes later “he took off running,” [store owner Heather] Latko said. Witnesses saw him get into a late-1990s Volkswagen Passat with an accomplice behind the wheel. The dark-blue car had Minnesota license plates 768BDA.

Find out what's happening in Shakopeewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The suspect is described as white, 25 to 30 years old, about 6 feet tall, with a slender build. He was wearing a gray knitted winter cap, a dark coat and blue jeans.

She said police have been notified of the third such pet-napping that her shop has suffered in the past five years. The previous thefts — one a cat, the other a dog — ended with both pets being recovered unharmed.

Patch has asked Shakopee police for comment.

Here are Shakopee Patch posts concerning the earlier pet-theft incidents the Star Tribune mentioned:

  • Persian Kitten Stolen From Shakopee Petland
  • Stolen Persian Kitten Returned to Shakopee Pet Store
  • Stolen Kitten Now Available for Adoption

Just last week, the store reported a shoplifting incident.


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