PARMA, Ohio — Police say a Cleveland teen accused of stealing a puppy from Petland in Parma is now in custody, but officials still do not know where the dog is.
Parma authorities say members of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested 18-year-old Markeze Williams sometime last week. However, the suspect did not have the puppy with him at the time and "refused to cooperate in providing any details as to the animal’s whereabouts."
Law enforcement released surveillance video of the March 9 robbery five days ago, where a man purported to be Williams walked out of the store with a 9-week-old female Olde English Bulldogge valued at roughly $6,500. An eyewitness then observed him get into a silver Dodge Journey after the theft, which sped away in the wrong direction on a one-way street.
Williams was facing a felony theft charge and is currently being held in the Cuyahoga County Jail on a $40,000 bond. A grand jury is scheduled to take a closer look at his case.
Police continue to look for tips regarding the dog's whereabouts. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Joe Duganier at (440) 887-7337.