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DENVER (KDVR) Deputies arrested the man who allegedly snatched a pair of bulldog puppies from an enclosure at a Centennial pet store in February, alongside the owner of the getaway car, but are still searching for one of the missing dogs.
Jonathan Muniz, 32, was arrested on Feb. 28 at a residence in Denver, the same day the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office announced charges had been filed against Timothy Davis, 37, for his alleged role in the theft.
Davis was accused of faking a seizure and distracting employees of Perfect Pets while Muniz allegedly took the puppies from the enclosure located near the back of the store and then sprinted for the front door.
The whole incident was caught on a surveillance camera. Bianca Rose Larsen, manager of Perfect Pets, told affiliate KDVR’s Rachel Saurer on Feb. 23 that two men entered her busy store on the afternoon of Feb. 21 and said they gave her some red flags right off the bat.
When the man, alleged to be Muniz, tried to flee with the dogs, an employee managed to grab him, causing him to trip and fall, throwing the puppies in the process. He was able to get up and leave the store, fleeing in a gold Cadillac Escalade, according to the sheriff’s office.
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The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office shared this screenshot of body-worn camera footage of an arrest made in connection to puppy thefts. (Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office) -
An employee of Perfect Pets reunites with a stolen bulldog puppy (Courtesy the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office) -
This English bulldog puppy is still missing after it was stolen from Perfect Pets in Centennial on Feb. 21. (Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office)
Muniz is being held without bond and is facing charges of robbery, theft, conspiracy to commit theft, third-degree assault, violation of a protection order and two counts of cruelty to animals. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 10 for a preliminary hearing.
Deputies also obtained an arrest warrant for the owner of the Escalade, who turned herself in on March 5. Porfiria Tacorante, 34, posted a $25,000 cash or surety bond and is facing charges of theft and conspiracy to commit theft. She is scheduled to appear in court on March 19.
One of the puppies was returned on Feb. 24 after a woman who purchased the puppy from a street vendor in Denver saw a news story about the theft. She said she had purchased the dog for $1,500 Perfect Pets was selling the pups for $4,299.
The second puppy has not been located. Anyone who has information about the dog is asked to contact Investigator Erik VanCleave at 720-874-7762 or evancleave@arapahoegov.com.
