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The Orem Dognapping Caper has been solved, and the missing Shih Tzu-mix puppy they took is back at the Animal Ark Pet Store — presumably waiting for someone who can afford its $500 price tag.
Orem police Sgt. Craig Martinez said the couple stole the six-week-old, black-and-white puppy on Jan. 11. The man reportedly kept a lookout inside the store at 33 W. Center Street while his wife stuffed the miniature mutt into her purse.
Police obtained video surveillance and released images of the suspects, however, which ran on local television stations. That apparently spooked the couple.
"On Monday about 2:30 p.m., we got a called from Animal Ark saying the dog had been returned. The suspects had opened the shop's back door and left the dog inside," Martinez said.
Shortly after that, however, a caller who recognized the man called 911 and identified the suspect. Police could not find the couple at home Monday night, but were able to contact them Tuesday morning.
The woman was arrested and booked into Utah County jail on suspicion of burglary, while her husband was cited for misdemeanor theft, Martinez said.
On Tuesday, Animal Ark Manager Jenny Clark said the puppy — actually a melding of a Shih-Tsu father and a Chihuahua-Yorkshire Terrier mother — "seems to be just fine" after his ordeal.
And, Clark said, he's still awaiting a new, this time legitimate, home.