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Woman accused of stealing puppy off porch in Lakeland

Tipsters are encouraged to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-8477.

LAKELAND, Fla. — "Who steals a puppy off someone's porch?"

That's the question the Polk County Sheriff's Office posted Wednesday on social media.

Investigators shared video in the hopes of catching an accused canine thief. They say the woman in newly-released surveillance video made off with a pup on Sunday in Lakeland.

Almost a week later, the puppy's owner is asking for your help to identify this woman. 

Kadaijah Simpson is the dog's owner and lives in Lakeland. Simpson said the puppy belongs to her 2-year-old daughter. Simpson said the young Pitbull was stolen off their back porch.

"You should be ashamed that you came and took a 2-year-old's dog," Simson told 10 Tampa Bay.

Simpson recalled hearing a knock on her door early Sunday morning. By the time she got up, she said her puppy was gone, and a silver van was pulling off her street.

"You’re an adult and you stole from a 2-year-old. I hope that you are not sleeping well at night honestly," Simpson said.

The puppy's name is Zeus, and Simpson is asking for everyone to keep an eye out for him. Simpson said she has no idea who the woman is who took her puppy.

"Never seen her a day in my life. Just a random stranger," Simpson said.

Now, authorities are asking for the public's help figuring out exactly who the woman is and where she may have taken the young dog.

The sheriff's office asked anybody with information to contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-8477. Anonymous tipsters can also submit information online by clicking this link.

The video, which can be seen below, shows the woman standing outside a home before carrying the puppy away.

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