Stolen Chihuahua Returned, Suspects Turn Themselves In
THORNTON, Colo. (CBS4) - Three people suspected in a puppy theft case turned themselves in to police on Wednesday, a day after the dog was returned to the pet store it was stolen from.
Thornton police say the following three people are suspected of stealing a teacup Chihuahua from Pet Ranch on East 120th Avenue on Sunday.
- Destry Rocky Patterson, 35, of Commerce City
- Phillip Damien Marcum, 27, of Commerce City
- Stacy Davalos, 24, of Northglenn
Teacup Chihuahuas are susceptible to hypoglycemia and need special care, particularly when they are very young. The dog that was stolen was only 2 1/2 months old and when it was returned to the store on Tuesday it was somewhat dehydrated.
Pet Ranch captured surveillance video images on Sunday of a man and a woman introducing cute puppies to their toddler in a stroller. At one point the man picked up the dog and placed it in a compartment at the bottom of the stroller and covered the animal with something. Then they walked out of the store.
Three employees were on duty at the time of the theft but no one initially realized what had happened.
Police said one of the suspect's brothers was the person who returned the puppy on Tuesday.
Widespread coverage of the story by CBS4 and other media "led to several tips identifying the suspect and the eventual recovery of the stolen puppy," according to Thornton Police Officer Matt Barnes.
Marcum is facing theft and false reporting charges and Patterson and Davalos are facing theft charges.