STUART, Fla. – A pricey Pomeranian is back in safe hands, and a suspect is behind bars following a theft investigation that spanned two Florida counties.
The incident began on December 6, 2025, when Stuart Police officers were dispatched to a local pet store regarding a theft. According to investigators, a woman entered the business and managed to conceal a Pomeranian puppy—valued at approximately $2,900—inside her shirt before walking out of the store.
Stuart Police Detectives quickly launched an investigation into the theft, eventually tracking the suspect’s trail to Polk County. Authorities reached out to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) for assistance in locating the individual.
READ: Christmas Tree Stood Over Grisly Polk County Murder-Suicide, 13-Year-Old In Critical Condition
The collaboration proved successful.
PCSO deputies located and arrested 26-year-old Bobbi Joe Zitko. The stolen puppy was also recovered during the arrest and has since been returned to the store to await a new home.
Zitko was charged with Grand Theft and booked into the Polk County Jail.
In a statement regarding the case closing, the Stuart Police Department expressed gratitude for the inter-agency cooperation.
“We would like to thank the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their outstanding assistance in helping us bring this paw-sitively unacceptable crime to a successful resolution,” the department said.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
