HAMPTON, Va. - Three husky puppies have been reunited with their mother after someone stole six puppies from a Hampton grooming business.
The theft happened at Critter Cleaners, a grooming business located in the 5100 block of West Mercury Boulevard, overnight Thursday. Surveillance cameras caught the suspect removing six three-week-old husky puppies and an undisclosed amount of money from the business.
Bandi Murdock, the owner of Critter Cleaners, told News 3 that the suspect ate food, watched television and took a shower before taking the puppies from their mother.
When apprehended, the suspect confessed but refused to say where the puppies are, Murdock said. Investigators were able to track some of the puppies down through the man's friends.
Police later identified the suspect as 50-year-old Rodney Jackson who is experiencing homelessness. He was arrested and charged with Breaking and Entering, Grand Larceny, Grand Larceny with intent to sell, and 6 counts of Animal Larceny.
On Sunday, the owner told News 3 that another puppy was recovered, leaving two still missing.
UPDATE: Owner of puppies says they’ve recovered three. Here’s the mom reuniting with two https://t.co/LddtrUwfc2 pic.twitter.com/x0yywi34Vp
— Brendan Ponton (@brendanponton) January 22, 2022
This is heartwarming! With the help of our community and the hard work of our detectives, three of the six stolen Huskey puppies have been returned to their mother. If you know where the other puppies can be found, leave a tip at https://t.co/icZyyON0Pp. pic.twitter.com/9jcOwaViEe
— Hampton VA Police (@HamptonVAPolice) January 23, 2022
Another puppy has been found. Two are still missing https://t.co/LddtrUwfc2 pic.twitter.com/vyLoZCA3gP
— Brendan Ponton (@brendanponton) January 23, 2022
Two puppies are still missing. Murdock says she's worried about their safety.
"It's been a while and the puppies are desperately needing to eat, not to mention the temperatures outside," she said.
If you have any information on where the puppies could be, call the Hampton Police Division at 757–727–6111 or the Crime Line at 1–888-LOCK-U-UP.
