CLEVELAND — Parma police have issued an arrest warrant for a Cleveland teenager accused of stealing a puppy worth more than $6,000 from a Petland store last week.
Surveillance video of the alleged theft was released Wednesday showing Markeze Terrell Mark Anthony Williams, 18, leaving the store with the puppy, identified in a police report as an approximately 9-week-old, Olde English bulldog, on the morning of Saturday, March 9. Williams is wanted for one count of felony theft.
According to the police report, Williams approached the store's manager, Amy Parker, and asked to see a French bulldog. After Parker told him the store did not have any, Williams allegedly asked to see an Old English bulldog and pointed out the dog he wanted to see.
Parma police issue arrest warrant for suspect in Petland puppy theft
Surveillance video then shows the manager place the puppy in one of the store's socialization rooms with Williams. About one minute later, the 18-year-old can be seen walking out of the store with the dog tucked under his arm.
Parker told 3News on Sunday that the alleged theft was the second time a dog has been stolen from the store since 2022.
"We just want her back. We want to know she is safe," Parker said. "We can't say what should happen to the individual who did this. Primarily, we just want her back."
According to the police report, the puppy is a female. The dog's color is described as "chocolate tri merle" and the puppy is valued at $6,500.
The police report stated that an eyewitness observed Williams get into a silver Dodge Journey after the theft, which sped away in the wrong direction on a one-way street. The witness was unsure if Williams was driving the vehicle.
Parma police ask anyone with any information on Williams' location or the location of the missing puppy to call Detective Joe Duganier at 440-887-7337.