A man and a woman are in custody for their suspected involvement in the theft of two bulldog puppies from a Centennial pet store two weeks ago.

Jonathan Muniz, 32, was arrested Feb. 28 and being held on a no-bond hold, facing charges of robbery, theft, conspiracy to commit theft, third degree assault and violation of a protection order as well as two counts of cruelty to animals. 

Porfiria Tacorante, 34, turned herself in Wednesday to the Arapahoe County Detention Facility and posted a $25,000 cash/surety bond. She is facing charges of theft and conspiracy to commit theft. 

Shocking store surveillance video showed a man faking a seizure while an alleged accomplice opened the top lid of a kennel full of bulldog puppies, grabbed two of them and fled the store, dropping one of the dogs in a chaotic scramble.

The video, from the store Perfect Pets, was shown on local as well as national media and brought in many tips. One of the puppies was returned by a woman who bought it, she said, for $1,500.

Though she was told she would receive a $1,000 reward for the return of the $4,300 puppy, she said that had still not received it as of Thursday afternoon. 

Arapahoe County Sheriff’s officials suspect that Muniz is the man who ran off with the puppies and Tacorante drove the getaway car.

The man who is accused of providing the distraction by faking a seizure was also arrested.

Timothy Davis, 37, faces charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, theft and drug possession.

The American Kennel Club reports that dog thefts are up 40% and that most of the time the animals are never recovered. Smaller breeds like Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, and French and English Bulldogs are often stolen because they’re easy to carry off, the AKC says. 

If you have information regarding the stolen puppy or its whereabouts, contact Investigator Erik VanCleave at (720) 874-7762 or [email protected].