Two puppies stolen in an armed robbery at Teon's Puppy Palace in the Oakhaven neighborhood are back home and unharmed, and three people are now facing charges, according to Memphis police. The holdup unfolded around 5 p.m. at the Winchester Road storefront, with officers saying the dogs, valued at $2,000, were recovered after investigators tracked a suspect vehicle two days later.
Police said the robbers took off in a two-door Chevrolet pickup and a Chevrolet SUV after the heist. When officers later tracked down a vehicle believed to be tied to the crime, they reported finding three firearms inside, including a stolen Glock that investigators say had been fitted with a switch. Two 17-year-olds and an adult, identified as Carlos Thomas, were arrested and charged in the case, as reported by FOX13 Memphis.
How police tracked the suspects
Mt. Moriah Task Force officers pulled over the suspect vehicle at Millbranch and Raines roads, where the occupants were taken into custody, according to police. The Mt. Moriah unit is part of the larger Memphis Safe Task Force, a multi-agency effort that brings together local and federal partners to focus on violent-crime enforcement, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
Charges and next steps
Police charged the two 17-year-olds with aggravated robbery, theft of property less than $2,500, and possession of a prohibited weapon, authorities said. Carlos Thomas faces the same counts, and court dates have not yet been released, according to FOX13 Memphis.
The recovered puppies were returned to their owner and are reported to be unharmed. Investigators have not released details about a possible motive or whether the dogs were believed to be headed for resale. Police are asking anyone with information about the case to contact Memphis authorities.
