Stolen Chihuahua pup returns to N.Y. store with note

[April 16, 2009]  BELLMORE, N.Y. (AP) -- A stolen $3,000 Chihuahua puppy has been returned to a Long Island pet store with an apologetic note.

Nassau County police say they haven't identified the man who took the 14-week-old dog back Tuesday to Worldwide Puppies & Kittens in Bellmore, just east of New York City.

Store manager Christina Ingoglia (in-GOH'-glee-uh) says the man ran away after dropping off the pup in a shoe box. She says he left a note saying the puppy's abductors were sorry they stole it and didn't have the money to buy it.

Police have been looking for four apparently teenage suspects in last week's theft. A surveillance image shows one of the teens smuggling the Chihuahua out of the store in his clothing.

Ingoglia says the dog is doing fine.

[Associated Press]

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