Man convicted of Centennial bulldog puppy theft

One of three suspects in an elaborate puppy theft earlier this year was found guilty in an Arapahoe District Court this week.

A jury found 33-year-old Jonathan Muniz guilty of robbery, felony theft, conspiracy to commit felony theft and third-degree assault after a three day trial, according to a news release from the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Two co-defendants — Porfiria Tacorante and Timothy Davis — still have cases surrounding the incident pending.

The theft occurred at the Perfect Pets store in Centennial on Feb. 21. Shocking store surveillance video showed a man — later identified as Davis —faking a seizure while Muniz 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.

The puppies were valued at $4,200 each, according to the news release from the district attorney’s office.

One of the two puppies is still missing.

Muniz remains in jail and is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 5.

“This was a violent and heartless crime,” District Attorney Amy Padden said. “The defendant not only stole two puppies, he assaulted a store employee who was simply trying to protect them. This verdict delivers justice, and it makes clear that in our community, cruelty and violence will never be ignored or excused.”

Former Denver Gazette reporter Carol McKinley contributed to this report.


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