A 35-year-old man faces felony charges after stealing a purebred Australian Labradoodle puppy from a family-owned breeding business in Pierce County, Washington, following a weeklong investigation that ended with the animal’s safe recovery.
Suspect Used Fake Identity To Steal Puppy
The theft occurred on September 9 around 10 p.m. in the Bonney Lake area when a man arranged to purchase the puppy named Sherbert from a licensed breeder. During the meeting, the suspect took the eight-week-old dog and drove away without providing any payment. The victim attempted to contact the buyer but discovered all information provided was fraudulent. Pierce County Deputy Carly Cappetto confirmed investigators had nothing legitimate to work with initially.
The family business owner had advertised the Australian Labradoodle puppy for adoption when the suspect reached out expressing interest. These designer puppies typically sell for between $2,500 and $4,000 from reputable breeders, making the theft a significant financial loss beyond the emotional impact on the family business.
Photos Lead Deputies To Puyallup Apartment
Investigators relied on photographs of the suspect, his clothing, and his vehicle to build their case. On September 16, deputies tracked the suspect to an apartment complex on Pioneer Way East in Puyallup where they located his unoccupied vehicle. After obtaining a search warrant, deputies made contact with the man inside the apartment. Officers found the same clothing worn during the theft in the bedroom where they arrested him.
The suspect was booked on felony theft in the second degree and felony possession of stolen property in the second degree. Both charges carry potential prison sentences under Washington state law for thefts exceeding $750 in value.
Growing Threat To Small Businesses
The case highlights increasing risks facing small family businesses conducting transactions with strangers. Law enforcement officials recommend breeders and other home-based businesses meet potential buyers in public locations or require verified identification and deposits before arranging in-person meetings. Sherbert was returned to the victim in good condition, and the family breeding business continues operations with enhanced security protocols.
Glad they got the pup back safely. Hope this perp gets at least 10 years in prison. He probably has a very long rap sheet.
“Purebred” labradoodle?
“PUREBRED?”
Really, guys?
A purebred Labrador Retreaver, yes, or a purebred Poodle, yes, but a “PUREBRED” labradoodle, no.
AND THIS IS NEWS?!
Call it a break from the normal who’s cornholeing who, what shot where and the illegal apocalypse.
You are so right! They are not purebred, so why the high cost? Makes no sense to me.
because they can
My transactions are always performed in a police parking lot.
It is incompressible that the breeder would allow the negotiations to be conducted in an insecure setting, let alone have the thief able to take off like he did – unbelieveable!
How so?
It was at the breeders home trusting the thief out in the grass with pup.
Not secure, not unsecure.
The problem is trust was abused by a fat white guy.
So a man took a cute mutt puppy from an unethical mutt breeder, and this is now news, LOL? What has happened to journalism? It is stupid, but yes some people spend thousands of dollars to buy a poorly bred, crossbred, mutt from people that are breeding dogs just to make money. It is articles like this, that call a mutt a “breed” and say the mutt is worth thousands, that continue this fallacy. If you want a mutt, go to the pound, there are hundreds waiting for a good home.
is your mother inbred too?
unethical… HOW?
A registered breeder with a single litter of pups.
stupid people spewing false claims