An Austell woman has an active warrant for her arrest after she was accused of stealing a $4,050 Shih Tzu puppy from a Petland store in Kennesaw.
Cobb County police obtained a shoplifting warrant against Fanesia Dionne Caldwell after the Monday theft at the store off Barrett Parkway. Since the puppy is worth more than $500, the shoplifting charge is a felony.
According to the warrant, Caldwell stole the puppy between 3:30 and 4:15 p.m. She allegedly walked out of the store, passing all the counters and employees, with the pricey pup.
As of Friday afternoon, Caldwell had not been arrested, according to county jail records. Her warrant said she lives at the Windwood Apartment complex off Shenandoah Trail.
If taken into custody, she has already been granted a $1,500 bond.
During the past two months, authorities have reported at least four break-ins at metro Atlanta pet stores, with thieves making off with nearly $200,000 worth of puppies.
In mid-March, 11 puppies were stolen by two suspects from the same Kennesaw location, AJC.com previously reported. The stolen dogs were mostly Yorkies and bulldogs.
RELATED: 2 suspects break into Kennesaw pet store, steal puppies worth $75K
About a month later, Petland Dunwoody was broken into, and the thieves stole about $15,000 worth of puppies. The suspects used a rock to break the building’s front glass door.
MORE: 5 puppies worth $15K stolen from Petland in Dunwoody, police say
Days later, masked men broke into the Local Breeders in Gwinnett County, making off with 19 puppies worth $60,000. A large pipe was used to gain entry to the store.
RELATED: Masked men break into Gwinnett pet store, steal 19 puppies worth $60K
In Rome, nearly $48,000 worth of puppies were taken by thieves from a Petland. Similar to the Dunwoody case, the suspects used a rock to break into the building.
MORE: Thieves steal 11 puppies worth nearly $48K from Petland in Rome
Anyone with information on the latest theft is asked to contact Cobb police at 770-499-3900.
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