Last Naperville puppy thief gets supervision

The last of three teens behind an ill-conceived caper to snatch a $1,500 Pomeranian puppy from a Naperville pet store admitted her guilt Monday.

Anais M. Marquez was placed on one-year court supervision and ordered to perform 40 hours of community service after she plead guilty to misdemeanor retail theft.

Marquez and a co-worker, Karlie A. Pellock, prodded a friend to steal the 2-month-old pooch March 21 from Petland at 720 N. Route 59 on the city's west side. The girls, who were working in the store at the time of the theft, planned to pay the friend $60 for his services and keep the puppy as their pet.

A woman connected to the trio returned the dog unharmed to the store three days later after seeing media reports about the theft. The store owners said a local couple quickly bought the playful pooch shortly later.

All three 19-year-old Plainfield residents now have admitted their guilt. Pellock was placed on one-year court supervision for a similar misdemeanor retail theft charge and must perform 50 hours of community service.

Lopez, whose image was captured on the store's surveillance camera during the theft, was charged with a felony because he was the one who physically stole the dog. Lopez also had a criminal history for marijuana use.

Lopez is serving a 60-day stint in jail. He will be released after serving about half the term. He admitted blowing marijuana smoke in the puppy's face but said he never meant to hurt it.

Prosecutor Karian Karavolos sought Monday a 30-day stint in jail to teach Marquez a lesson. Marquez faced up to one year in jail. She did not have a criminal history. DuPage Circuit Judge Peter Dockery ordered her to pay court costs and barred her from entering Petland.