HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — A 50-year-old homeless man has been arrested in connection with the theft of six Husky puppies from a Hampton business.
Rodney Jackson has been charged with breaking and entering, grand larceny, grand larceny with intent to sell and 6 counts of animal larceny.
Hampton Police say he’s the man caught on video breaking into the Critter Cleaners on West Mercury Boulevard early Friday morning.
Critter Cleaners owner and breeder Bandi Murdock said the man broke into the business around 1:30 a.m. Friday and she believe he was in there for several hours. He watched TV and took a shower.
In addition to taking the puppies, police say he also stole cash.
Photo provided by Critter Cleaners 
A photo of the husky puppies and their mother. The six puppies were reported stolen from Critter Cleaners in Hampton on Jan. 21, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Libby Howard)
Four of the six puppies have been recovered. Murdock says the latest was returned by a good Samaritan.
“She said that her boyfriend had it and she stole it from her boyfriend and snuck out of the house when he went to take a shower and called the cops,” explained Murdock. “She met the cops up at Darling Stadium and the detective had, of course, called animal control to will check puppy over and make sure it was OK. They called us to meet up there so we gave her a $100 reward for the puppy and then we rushed it back to its mama.”
The business shared video of an earlier reunion of the puppies returned on Saturday.
“Thank you all. This is our dog and this breaks our heart for her not to have her puppies. We don’t care about the damage to the shop. We don’t care about the money. We care about our dog,” said Kramer. He said the puppies are doing really well.
Murdock hopes business owners stay on top of their security systems to be sure their cameras are working. In her case, she believes it was crucial for police to be able to catch Jackson.
“Just make sure your security cameras work. You never know when something’s gonna happen. I’ve been there for eight years and I’ve never had a problem,” said the Critter Cleaners owner.
The remaining two puppies need their mom. Murdock says without proper care, their lives are in danger. If you have any information about where they may be, please contact the Hampton Police Division at 757-727-6111.
“Please bring it back, it cannot survive without its mother. We’re not asking any questions, we’re not pressing any charges. I don’t care what your name is. I don’t care how you got the puppy. I just want the puppy back. If you purchased the puppy we will reimburse you, we will give you a reward,” Murdock said.
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