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Police: Store Owners Believe Puppy Thefts In 2 Cities May Be Connected

THORNTON, Colo. (CBS4)- Police in Thornton and Northglenn are working together to solve puppy thefts after thieves stole more than a dozen puppies from two different stores-- just 30 minutes apart.

The owners of both pet stores, The Pet Ranch in Thornton and Pets 'N Stuff in Northglenn, believe the suspects look alike and that the thefts may be connected.

The Pet Ranch in Thornton was the first store that was hit about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Two suspects were caught by surveillance video that shows them snatching four English Bulldog puppies out of their cages and into plastic trash cans.

Thornton puppy theft2
(credit: Thornton Police)

"They don't look in any other cage in our store. They walk straight to the bulldog cage, they absolutely knew what they were looking for and paid no attention to any other dog in here," said Pet Ranch owner Renee Reese.

Reese said the puppies are worth thousands of dollars. They had only been in her store for a day but Reese believes the suspects knew they were there.

"They had to come in while we were open Tuesday during business hours or sent somebody in and the store was cased," said Reese.

About 30 minutes later, nine puppies were taken from Pets 'N Stuff in Northglenn. The owner tells CBS4 the surveillance video shows three suspects.

dachsund
(credit: Pets N Stuff)

Pets 'N Stuff owner Sandy McDonald said security cameras show the suspects running through her store and then leaving with nine of their animals.

They got away with three toy poodles, two toy American Eskimos, three puggles and two dachshunds.

toy eskimos
(credit: Pets N Stuff)

"It just makes you sick that somebody would do that. I just don't know, I don't know what kind of person does that," said McDonald.

Reese said two of the Bulldogs taken already had homes.

poodles
(credit: Pets N Stuff)

"I'm a little concerned for their health and well being. And this isn't the life they were supposed to have. They've been well cared for, well raised and some had homes already lined up. They would have gone to great families and had a chance for a great life," said Reese.

Police in Thornton are working with investigators in Northglenn to determine whether the two thefts are connected.

puggle
(credit: Pets N Stuff)

After learning she was the second target, McDonald immediately started comparing the surveillance videos.

"I have no doubt it's the same people. They have the same coat on," said McDonald.

Both McDonald and Reese agree that catching the thieves is the least of their worries. They want to know that their puppies are safe.

"I don't know what they did with them, I don't know where they took them, I don't know what their plans are," said McDonald.

"I just hope the puppies are okay," said Reese.

Both stores have had puppies stolen in the past.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Thornton Police Department at 720-977-5069.

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