MANCHESTER, NH – Manchester Police have arrested four people charged with allegedly stealing 13 puppies from Bill’s Pet & Aquarium in the East Side Plaza on Dec. 16.
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Victor Morina, 17, Samara Massey, 18, Curtis Massey, 17, and Ian Forsberg, 17, all of Manchester were arrested and charged as follows:
Morina was charged with receiving stolen property, resisting arrest/detention and violation of bail conditions stemming from an August, 2014 arrest. Curtis Massey was charged with receiving stolen property and violation of bail stemming from a December 7 arrest. He is also being held for a contempt of court charge out of Marlborough, NH. Samara Massey is charged with receiving stolen property, and Forsberg is charged with receiving stolen property and resisting arrest/etention.
Store owner Bill Sturgeon told police 13 puppies were taken from his store. Officer J.P. Makara of the patrol division observed a group of individuals walking in the area of the plaza approximately one hour after he responded to the burglary call for service. One of the males had been carrying a chocolate Labrador retriever and a female had been carrying a Shar Pei dog with her as they were walking in the general area.
Officer Makara attempted to stop the four individuals and engaged in a foot pursuit. Sgt. McCabe and other officers responded to the area and the three men were apprehended near the football field at Stevens Park on Lake Avenue at Mammoth Road. The female was located at her grandmother’s apartment, 715 Lake Ave., by Officer Makara.
Manchester Animal Control Officer John Dussault responded to the Lake Avenue address to scan the microchips of the 13 puppies recovered there by police.
The scan turned out to match the paperwork provided by the store owner. The 13 dogs were returned to the owner and none of them sustained any injuries.
Police did not comment on any motive in the puppy heist.
Based on the estimated value to the pet shop of the dogs taken, all four of those arrested face Class A Felony charges for receiving stolen property. The following dogs were located; a Shar Pei, a papillon, a cocker spaniel, two Pyrenees puppies, two chocolate Labrador retrievers, one Chihuahua, one Maltese, one dachshund, two cockapoo puppies, and a beagle. The total estimated value of the puppies to the pet shop, which adds up to $5,105, does not reflect the total retail value of the animals, according to Sgt. O’Keefe.
