Police have apprehended a couple accused of stealing a puppy from a Petland in Naperville over Labor Day Weekend, according to the store's owner, but are still searching for the missing dog.
The 11-week-old Pomeranian puppy named Bella was stolen around 4:21 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 5, store owner Carl Swanson said. The couple was visiting with Bella in a so-called “socialization room,” when Swanson said the pair slipped out the front door.
The couple was captured on surveillance cameras and a report was filed with Naperville police, who identified the suspects and took them into custody on Thursday.
They told investigators that they "got nervous" and dumped the puppy in a backyard in neighboring Aurora, according to Swanson. They didn't realize the gate to the yard where they left her was not closed, Swanson said, and the puppy escaped.
"I was shocked," Swanson said. "I was really surprised that people would do that, so boldly, just take a puppy and walk right out of the door."
Swanson said Bella is worth about $2,500, but he’s more concerned for her well-being.
“They're on a vaccination schedule that we maintain and then once a customer takes a puppy home the vet continues it,” he said. “I'm concerned that whoever took this puppy will not take it to the vet and maintain the vaccinations.”
Swanson is asking anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of Bella, who is microchipped, to call police.
