Hoffman Estates: Whither the Puppies

By Kevin Robinson in News on Jan 18, 2011 6:40PM

Stories about people walking into giant chain pet stores to steal animals are commonplace enough, we shouldn't be surprised by them anymore. And yet we are. Police responded to a theft call at a Petland store in Hoffman Estates last week.

According to the police report, a man described as "a male between 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-10 inches tall, wearing gray and black clothes, in addition to black gloves, with a tattoo on his neck and wearing a black rosary" went to the Petland at 11 Golf Center in Hoffman Estates and asked to see a Yorkshire Terrier. The clerk brought the dog to the man, who took it to a viewing room (seriously? A "viewing room" in a pet store?), and then asked the clerk to see a different dog. After telling the clerk that the second dog was "too big", the clerk went to put the second puppy back. When he returned, the clerk noticed that the door was ajar and the man was gone.

Police responding to the call checked the immediate area around the store, but could not locate the thief. Petland told CBS2 that the dog was worth $1,700, and "is a very small puppy and needs to eat a special diet regularly.” Hoffman Estates Police Sgt. Greg Poulos said Monday that police “are actively pursuing the case,” and is asking that anyone who has information about the crime should call the police department at (847) 882-1818.