Jacqulin Tejada charged with stealing Shih Tzu puppy, Riverhead police say

A Farmingville woman surrendered to police Tuesday after stealing a $1,900 Shih Tzu puppy from an Aquebogue pet store last month, Riverhead Town police said.

Jacqulin Tejada, 24, was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and investigators recovered the male puppy, who was in good health, said Det. Frank Hernandez.

She had walked into Puppy Experience on Main Street on Jan. 20, he said, and: “She put the dog inside a bag she had.”

The next day, the store owner happened to see the getaway vehicle and police pulled it over on the Long Island Expressway, the detective said.

Tejada was riding as a passenger, but she was let go because the investigation was ongoing and detectives had yet to see the store video of the puppy theft, Hernandez said. When they did, the “very clear” video showed Tejada taking the dog, he said.

After Tejada’s arrest, she was released on an appearance ticket and given a court date of Feb. 22, police said. Hernandez said the puppy was given back to the pet store but he declined to say where the dog was found.