Video: Man Flees Pet Store With Stolen Maltese Puppy

CARROLLWOOD, FL — The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is searching for a man who stole a puppy from a pet store in Tampa Thursday.

Around 3:30 p.m., a man entered All About Puppies at 13705 N. Dale Mabry Highway and grabbed an 8-week-old Maltese puppy from its playpen. He then fled the store with employees chasing him.

He managed to escape in a burgundy red Kia Spectra that headed north on North Dale Mabry Highway. The puppy, with a retail value of $3,000, is microchipped.

"This man entered a pet store in broad daylight and snatched a puppy with no hesitation," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Not only is it a living creature that deserves to be treated with respect, it belongs to this business and should have only left with someone who paid for it."

Anyone who recognizes the man in the surveillance video is urged to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200.