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$30k In Puppies Stolen From CA Pet Shop

by Matt Van Hoven

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November 30, 2007

LOS ANGELES – A man believed to have robbed a California pet store on November 7th was arrested Tuesday.

Authorities believe 45 year-old Walter Franklin Steward is responsible.

Store owner Paul Ro says he recognizes the suspect – that the man had been in the store before, and asked a number of questions about the puppies.

Authorities say 16 dogs were taken, valued at a total of $30k. They were taken during two separate robberies. A security guard was allegedly on break during the incident.

Police were able to track Steward from a partial license plate and surveillance video. They believe he was able to resell many of the dogs before being arrested – that this wasn't an act of protest.

Paul Ro says he's working to replenish the supply before the holiday season since only two of the dogs were recovered from Franklin's La Miranda home.

Authorities are asking anyone who bought the dogs to contact them, since they are stolen property.

Anyone with information leading to the stolen puppies can call Norwalk police at 562-863-8711.

Tell us what you think under this story. Post your favorite pet videos at the zootooTV tab. Email us your story ideas at news@zootoo.com or call us at 877-777-4204.



Tags

crime, stolen, puppies, pet shop, theft, lost & found, dogs

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bassnut1
bassnut1
8 months ago
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I hope people start getting their dogs at shelters!
 
themsdad
themsdad
8 months ago
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wish pet stores would stop selling puppies & kittens.
 
deb a.
deb a. (rodeodeb)
8 months ago
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close down the pet stores and visit a humane society or shelter and get your pet there
 
Lisa
Lisa (cpmatt)
8 months ago
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We need to spread the word about great dogs at shelters
 
Debbie S.
Debbie S. (debsimmons5)
8 months ago
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Why pay that much for a dog. This upsets me, there are way to many dogs in shelters. even if you want a pedigree. ADOPT ADOPT ADOPT Everytime someone buys a dogs like that it just encourages more puppy mills to breed.
 
Jessica T.
Jessica T. (jwaltri)
8 months ago
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I hate to say it, but I do not feel any empathy in this story at all. Chances are, some fanatic about puppy mills stole the puppies to get them out of the pet store without allowing money to go to th breeder. Heck, I have had similar ideas when I see a sick dog at PetLand being sold for $3500. That dog will sit in the kennel until it is adopted or no longer a puppy. Chances are that it will end up being bred as often as possible, just like its parents. Stealing a dog is horrible, but these dogs were already in a horrible situation.
 
oldmaidcatwoman
oldmaidcatwoman
9 months ago
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I had no idea puppies could be worth so much money.
 
ArthurCurtis
ArthurCurtis
9 months ago
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I would be interested in knowing how many of the stolen animals were eventually recovered. I could wish for 100% or at least know they are in good loving homes
 
ladycrone43
ladycrone43
9 months ago
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Who pays that much for a dog? Pet shops frequently charge exorbitant prices for their animals and purchases are often impulse purchases. I often wonder how many of these animals end up as victims of "buyer's remorse."
 
di
di (booboopugs)
9 months ago
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The people should be allowed to keep the dogs, after all they bonded with them and have given them a home, and to ask them to return them? The guy that stole them should have to pay for them all.
 
Pia S.
Pia S. (GuinnieGirl)
9 months ago
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If my math is correct, that means the average sales price was $1,875 per dog. This guy is kidding, isn't he?
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
9 months ago
This comment has been removed.
 
Pia S.
Pia S. (GuinnieGirl)
9 months ago
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I used a calculator <g> - - but, really!!!!!
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
9 months ago
This comment has been removed.
 
Edward Robin
Edward Robin (erobin)
10 months ago
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Wow--16 puppies at $30K---that's crazy! By now the puppies happy and healthy young adolescents and hopefully living in loving homes. Are there any updates?
 
virginia b.
virginia b. (ginlana)
11 months ago
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Just don't sell pets in stores and that will be that.
 
Michaelyn
Michaelyn (MichaelynL)
11 months ago
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Store owner will "replenish the supply" - sounds like a call to the puppy mills.
 
VKiggins
VKiggins
11 months ago
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Jail time...that would be too much to ask that animal offenders are punished
 
SJL78
SJL78
11 months ago
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Yes, I agree. I doubt this guy got any jail time.
 
Missy M.
Missy M. (Mshan)
11 months ago
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What jail time did this guy get? I doubt any.
 
Melody L.
Melody L. (melody78)
11 months ago
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probably right.
 
John H.
John H. (JohnH)
11 months ago
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For a brief second, I can see the urge to get a full breed, but after that, go to a shelter!!!!!!! Their lives depend on it. And as the same time, if people ALL do that, they will put puppy mills out of business.
 
Jaimee123
Jaimee123
1 year ago
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Petfinder.com is all I have to say
 
Elaina
Elaina (ElainaMC)
1 year ago
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Please don't buy a puppy from a pet store. So many wonderful puppies and dogs can be found in shelters and rescues. Please help stop puppy mills to exist by not buying the puppies from a pet store. We all have had or know someone who has had a horrid experience with a pet store puppy. Let’s all try to break the cycle and adopt not buy!!
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
9 months ago
This comment has been removed.
 
Elizabeth M.
Elizabeth M. (Maddiemoney)
1 year ago
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While I totally object to stores selling puppies I do feel bad for the owner. Since the store is most likely to sell the pets to anyone with a dollar, the theif is probably no worse at picking owners for the pets. I hope they are all safe in their new homes.
 
donna
donna (kennethdonna8)
1 year ago
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I feel bad for the puppies. They have no control over what is happening to them.
 
jan l.
jan l. (janlincicome)
1 year ago
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Yes, the animals ARE the only victims here. They became victims when they were born in puppy mills and sold to the pet stores. All this through no fault of their own. I wish the store was not able to "replenish the supply", but unfortunately until we put an end to the millers, they will continue to do so. I just can hope that these poor unfortunate pups went to good homes.
 
cwasson
cwasson
1 year ago
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I agree - pet stores are NOT the venue to be selling pets - only products!
 
Anna
Anna (xDemolitionLoverx)
1 year ago
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Amen to that! It should be obvious by now but nobody seems to get the picture!
 
Lynn C.
Lynn C. (Lynn1)
1 year ago
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The beings I feel sorry for here are the dogs that were stolen! Pet stores which sell dogs are helping to continue the existence of puppy mills. The whole rotten system is part of the problem! DON'T BUY A DOG FROM A PET STORE! (Or a cat, either, for that matter!)
 
Chrissy
Chrissy (blondiestlouis)
1 year ago
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Hmm I dont like puppy stores would never get a dog from there ever!
 
David R.
David R. (Wally)
1 year ago
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A terrible story that underscores the evil of pet selling and stealing. Pet stores should not deal in selling animals; that continues to perpetuate animal abuse and bad breeders.
 
Lana S.
Lana S. (critterfriend)
1 year ago
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So one person robbing people by selling $2000 puppies gets robbed by a person selling them for a little less. The freedy stealing from the greedy!
 
Ashlee S.
Ashlee S. (ashleerdh)
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
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16 puppies worth $30,000?????? WOW!!!!!!!!!
 
ruthie
ruthie (ruthiegirl66)
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
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This guy was apparently in it only for the money, I afraid to think of what kind of homes they may have gone to or where they ended up
 
Jill6Johnson
Jill6Johnson
1 year ago
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I cannot believe that people shoplift dogs........it is almost funny to think about, but we must realize some people will do anything for money and this guy must have seen dollar signs. Glad they did catch him.
 
DakotaDakota
DakotaDakota
1 year ago
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I guess shops shouldn't sell pups, huh? I can't imagine selling to a petshop, or buying a pet from one either.
 
Hughie
Hughie
1 year ago
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Paul Ro doesn't seem too concerned about all the dogs that were not found. I hope they found loving homes. And I hope his pet store is shut down soon.
 
Brigit800
Brigit800
1 year ago
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$2000 for a dog!!! My cats were all free, but they sure cost me now :)
 
LoriHill123
LoriHill123
1 year ago
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Funny
 
Fawnest
Fawnest
1 year ago
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that's nuts- but to the guy who says the pups couldn't be sold as "purebred" without papers- that's not true. Papers are pretty easy to get without proof of a litter.
 
TPorter
TPorter
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 2 users liked it.
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I wish he had been stealing them to make a statement. Guess it was all about money all around.
 
LoriHill123
LoriHill123
1 year ago
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Ususally is about the money
 
Doggieluvs
Doggieluvs
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 3 users liked it.
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Bad deal all around.
 
Sue R.
Sue R. (suerob)
1 year ago
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I'm sure he could not sell as pure bred without the accompanying papers.
 
LoriHill123
LoriHill123
1 year ago
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Good observation
 
Cindy M.
Cindy M. (krazykritter12)
1 year ago
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I really hope these pups found loving homes. Poor Paul Ro not worried about the pups just the money. Shut him down!
 
Kate
Kate (Pheline)
1 year ago
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yes, the theft was bad, but so is selling "purebred" puppies in a petshop.
 
jdog123
jdog123
1 year ago
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This is ugly all around. I'm not in favor of buying $2000 pets.

Don't breed or buy as shelter pets die. -- a phrase I read somewhere...
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
This comment has been removed.
 
WANSTREET
WANSTREET
1 year ago
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Another reason to be against pet stores selling puppies that more than likely came from a puppy mill. I hope with that kind of price tag the dogs have good homes. I am sure Paul Ro didn't have a problem "replenishing his supplies" just call the puppy mill. He really sounds compassionate. Just a job I guess. Get rid of the security guard.
 
iseeurn
iseeurn
1 year ago
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still a thief- hope the pups found happiness
 
Hughie
Hughie
1 year ago
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I hope the dogs are in good homes. Although I'm not in favor of stores that sell dogs, this thief should be prosecuted.
 
John R.
John R. (rothgeb)
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
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Let's hope they at least ended up in good homes.
 
cat100
cat100
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
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Sounds like an insurance scam - $2k a dog?!
 
Kindra H.
Kindra H. (khillcwapr)
1 year ago
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Another argument for animals not being for sale but instead for adoption! Put a price on an animal and you invite trouble.
 
David R.
David R. (Wally)
1 year ago
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That is so correct. Once you put a high price on any kind of animal, chances increase of having the animal be endangered or the prey of the unscrupulous. Animals should cost no more than the fees for spay/neuter, vaccinations, etc.
 
Sue R.
Sue R. (suerob)
1 year ago
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Funny that the security guard was on break both times. Inside job?
 
smlhelps
smlhelps
1 year ago
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wow what a crazy story.i hope all the puppies have good homes.
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