Stolen Hoffman Estates puppy recovered by police
The tale of the puppy taken last week from a Hoffman Estates pet store appears to have ended with a happy, wagging tail.
Thanks to two anonymous tips, Hoffman Estates police made two arrests Monday night and recovered Max from a home in Niles.
Hoffman Estates police Sgt. Greg Poulos said police have charged James Horvath, 18, of the 5000 block of West Sunnyside Avenue, in Chicago, with felony retail theft. They also charged Gabriel D. Bandy, 24, of the 9200 block of Courtland Drive in Niles, with possession of stolen property.
Bandy, Horvath’s cousin, apparently promised to pay Horvath for taking the dog, the Cook County state’s attorney office said. Police found the puppy at Bandy’s home in Niles, Poulos added.
The 2½-month-old Yorkshire terrier was taken on Thursday night from the Hoffman Estates Petland store. A veterinarian’s checkup on Tuesday revealed he’s in good health.
“He’s good, he needs a little bit of rest, but other than that, he’s good,” said Petland owner Janet Star.
Star drove to the Hoffman Estates police station Monday night to pick the dog up. Store employees unofficially named the brown and black-furred puppy Max, and Star said he has lost a little weight from his 1-pound, 1-ounce frame.
Police said they believe it was Horvath who took the dog from the store after posing as a customer. A store employee left Horvath with the puppy in a private socialization room, and four minutes later video cameras recorded the suspect leaving the store with the puppy in his hand, police said.
Star and other employees were concerned about Max’s health, saying dogs that young require special diets. The puppy came from a reputable breeder and had been at the store for only a week, she added. Max retails for $1,700.
Poulos and Star thanked the media, which ran several reports after the incident was first reported on Friday in the Daily Herald.
Bandy’s bail was set at $1,000, and his next court date is Feb. 25. Horvath’s bail was set at $25,000. His next court date is Feb. 10.
Daily Herald staff writer Barbara Vitello contributed to this report