DENVER (KDVR) — A man has been found guilty on multiple charges for his role in the theft of two bulldog puppies at a Centennial pet store in February.
The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office announced Friday an Arapahoe County jury took three days to convict Jonathan Muniz, 33, of robbery, theft, conspiracy to commit theft and third-degree assault after the puppies were stolen from an enclosure at Perfect Pets.
In evidence presented at the trial for the incident on Feb. 21, Muniz had carried out a plan to steal the puppies, alongside two alleged accomplices, said the DA’s office.
One of the alleged accomplices was identified as Timothy Davis, 37, who is said by deputies to have faked a seizure in the store to distract employees, while Muniz had lifted the lid of the enclosure and grabbed the puppies.
Two employees tried to stop Muniz while he was trying to leave the store with the puppies. One of those employees even tackled him, and Muniz had later kicked the employee in the face, according to the DA’s office.
“The store employee who bravely intervened that day was put in harm’s way because of Mr. Muniz’s selfish and egregious actions,” said Deputy District Attorney Makena Granger in a press release. “No one should fear being assaulted at their workplace simply for trying to protect animals in their care. Our office is proud to have secured justice in this case.”
Muniz had run out the store’s front door and fled in a “getaway car” with the puppies, according to the DA’s office.
Binaco Rose Larsen, a manager at the store, later spoke to FOX31 about the incident and provided security camera footage.
The DA’s office announced in February that Muniz and the owner of the alleged getaway car were arrested, while charges had been filed against Davis.
“Stealing defenseless puppies is more than a crime against property – it’s an attack on our community’s sense of decency,” said Deputy District Attorney Erica Saluta. “Cruelty and theft have no place in our community. The store employees put themselves in harm’s way to protect those puppies, and this verdict makes clear that we will hold offenders accountable.”
Muniz’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 5, while both Davis and the alleged driver of the “getaway car” have pending cases in the 18th Judicial District as of Friday.
One of the stolen puppies had later been returned after a woman allegedly purchased the puppy from a street vendor; however, the second puppy remains missing at this time.
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