RECOVERED!: Maltese Poodle stolen from pet store found & returned

HALES CORNERS (WITI) -- Hales Corners police on Thursday, May 8th were seeking the public's help in a case involving a puppy stolen from a pet store. Now, we've learned the puppy has been recovered -- and the two women accused of stealing the puppy are in custody.

The tiny Maltese Poodle puppy was stolen from the Hales Corners Pet Store near Highway 100 and Grange Avenue.

It happened just after 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6th.

"We have them on video camera and they did take their time about it," Becky Edwards, the night manager at the store told FOX6 News.

The white Maltese Poodle was described as two months old, weighing two pounds. It's valued at $899.

"As most customers do, they drifted over to our puppies and were over there for a little bit," Edwards said of the suspects.

The puppy was apparently placed in one of the suspect's purses.

Edwards says one of the women tried to buy a light bulb, but her card was declined, so they left the store.

Shortly thereafter, employees started to close the store, and noticed one of the puppies was missing.

"We looked the store over, and it wasn't in any of the kennels or any of the fixtures. It does shake up your trust in human nature a little bit, that someone would come in and steal a living animal like that," Edwards said.

Surveillance cameras captured images and video of the suspects.

"Both females acted out as lookouts for each other. One of the females ended up picking up the puppy and placing it in a purse," Hales Corners Police Detective Justin Landry said.

Late Thursday evening, police announced the puppy has been recovered, and was returned to the store.

We're told a parent of one of the suspects in this case saw the story about the stolen dog, and immediately called police to report the daughter was involved.

The owners of the pet store came face-to-face with the suspects that stole the dog when they went to pick the dog up.

We're told the suspects are 17 and 18 years old.

"Absolutely wonderful. I am so thrilled that she's back," the store's owner, Heather Wilson said.

Charges are being referred to the District Attorney's Office.

The puppy will be taken to the vet on Friday, May 9th as a precaution.