The persons who stole a puppy from a Stanton pet store sent an apology and $600 in cash into the business, but are still wanted for theft, a sheriff's spokesman said Saturday.

The tiny chow was shoplifted from the Pet City store, 7041 Katella Ave., Thursday afternoon. Spokesman Jim Amormino said today that a shopper was approached by a woman Friday evening, "and offered $20 to carry an apology note and $600 cash into the store.

"But no puppy."

The shopper walked into the store and called the sheriff. "Detectives were called, they confiscated the money as evidence, and the dog is still missing," Amormino said.

The woman who made the cash and apology offer had disappeared by the time deputies arrived. She was described only as a Hispanic woman, Amormino said.

In the Thursday theft, a woman distracted employees while a male accomplice somehow extracted the puppy from a locked cage. The store has had pups stolen twice in recent years, but both dogs were returned after surveillance video was shown on TV.

"We want people to know that even an apology note and paying for the dog doesn't the settle the crime," Amormino told City News Service Saturday. "The money has to be booked as evidence, so the store has not been paid.

"So the store is still missing the money and the dog."

Amormino said the surveillance tape is of excellent quality and numerous tips have been phoned in with clues as to the identity of the puppy-nappers.

"It's just a matter of time before they get arrested," he said. "It's far better for them to just come forward, tell their side of the story, and clear this up."

Meanwhile, persons with tips about the remorseful puppy thieves were asked to call detectives at (855) TIP-OCCS.

-- City News Service