Dognapping Under Investigation

Lawrence Township police are working to locate a dog that was stolen from the Pets Plus store last week.

The dognapping took place Monday evening, Feb. 25, but staff at the pet store in the 100 block of Lawrence Road (Route 206) did not realize until the following morning that the 8-week-old Brussels Maltese was missing, according to township police spokesman Lt. Mark Ubry.

He said investigation by store personnel and police revealed that the puppy was stolen by a man who entered the store accompanied by a woman and two young children.

The man slipped into the kennel area of the store and managed to remove the dog from its cage while employees were distracted, Ubry said. He said the man then exited the store with the animal concealed under his shirt.

The dog, which is white, is valued at $900, Ubry said.

Detective William Chester and Officer Kelly Longo are investigating the crime. Anyone with information that could aid their investigation is ask to call township police at (609) 896-1111.

In July 2011, two “baby” ball pythons - each valued at $69.99 - were stolen from the same Pets Plus store.