Stolen Puppy Recovered, Suspect Charged

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4)- Investigators have recovered a stolen puppy and charged the woman they said confessed to taking the dog.

On April 29 a Shiba Inu puppy, valued at $1,100 was stolen from the Perfect Pets store located at 6840 S. University Blvd. The woman who took the puppy was captured on surveillance video.

She was carrying a large handbag which appeared empty, walked around the pen containing the puppy and then left the store minutes later with the handbag looking full and heavy.

Arapahoe County Sheriff's deputies said the investigation and tips from the public helped them identify the suspect as Michelle Medina.

Medina, 39, was contacted by the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office on Thursday where she agreed to an interview. During that interview deputies said she admitted taking the puppy from the store and selling it to an unrelated person.

The puppy was recovered, unharmed by investigators and returned to the Perfect Pets store.

Medina has been charged with theft between $750 -$2,000.