A man claiming to have a gun robbed a south-side drugstore of prescription painkillers, according to a Fort Wayne police report. The man approached the pharmacy counter in Walgreens at 222 E. Pettit Ave.A week after burglars swiped them from a northeast-side pet store, two puppies were recovered by police Wednesday, according to the store’s manager.
By 2:30 p.m., the pups – an Italian greyhound and a chiweenie – were back healthy and happy at Petland at 10538 Maysville Road, Kit Farrar said. A third puppy, a $4,000 English bulldog, is still missing.
"I felt real relieved that we were getting them back," Farrar said.
Burglars pried open the back door of the business after it closed Dec. 30 and took about $20,000 in merchandise including premium dog food, collars, kennels, pet shampoo and a large aquarium, according to police.
They also swiped three puppies. The bulldog is among the most stolen dog breeds in the country, and it is also Petland’s most expensive, Farrar said.
It’s unclear how or where officers found the dogs, but after police discovered them, Farrar said, Petland’s veterinarian gave the pair of pilfered pups a clean bill of health.
Belinda Lewis, director of Animal Care & Control, said her officers scanned the puppies’ microchips to verify they were indeed the ones taken from the pet store.
"They’re acting normal and happy and bouncy," Farrar said. "The Italian greyhound wants to explore everything."
Farrar still doesn’t know where the missing bulldog is, but he said police sounded optimistic about finding it as well.
Farrar said the burglars knew exactly what they were looking for when they broke into the store because they targeted three specific puppies and pricey pet supplies.
