Pet Place owners seek public help to identify suspects who they say stole $10K in products and three puppies.
HOUSTON — The owners of a southeast Houston pet store are asking the public for help identifying two people they say stole from their business.
It happened at Pet Place, located on Beamer Road near San Jacinto College South and the Gulf Freeway.
In a post to Facebook, owners said that on Monday, April 14, thieves took over $10,000 worth of product and three puppies.
Surveillance video shows a group of four walking into the business with a small dog in hand. Two female subjects in the group then walked into another room where puppies were stored. They were seen taking two puppies and then handing one of them off to a man, who walked out the store with the puppy in his pocket.
One female subject is seen in the video concealing one puppy under a sweater.
The two female subjects go back to the storage room, take another puppy and then walk out the store and get into a white car.
The owner, Adam Abidlatif, told KHOU 11 News the group came into the shop twice. He said that along with the three puppies and a turtle, they got away with leashes, collars and other merchandise.
“It is pretty hurtful and, you know, to a small business, you know, we are a family-owned business here,” he said. “Very devastating to see, especially the little girl that was involved.”
Abidlatif said he’s already made changes to improve security.
The Harris County Precinct 2 Constable’s Office is investigating.