A "tiny Yorkshire Terrier" has been stolen from a child outside a New Addington supermarket.
Jessie, a five-month old Yorkshire Terrier, was taken from outside the Lidl in Parkway at about 3pm this afternoon, as she waited with her owner's 10-year old son outside the store.
One social media user shares the news of the stolen dog
A tall teenage boy is believed to have approached the younger boy, speaking to him and complimenting Jessie, before snatching the dog and running off.
The suspect was described as a white male, with short brown hair aged between 15 and 20 years old, wearing all black clothing, a Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said.
Monika Nowak, 28, Jessie's owner, said she was inside the store with her two younger sons paying for her groceries when her dog was taken.
The young mother said: "My heart is broken. She [Jessie] is like my baby."
She said her eldest son had been outside with Jessie because dogs were not allowed in the store.
Members of the New Addington Pathfinders Facebook group have shared pictures of Jessie in the hope of tracking down the missing pet, and a separate group has been also been set up specifically to help find her.
A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: "Police were called on Friday, December 4 shortly after 3pm to the theft of a dog outside a shop at the Parkway, Croydon.
"Officers attended and established that a 10-year-old boy had been waiting outside the shop with his dog.
"A man approached him asking him if he could pet the dog before taking it and making off.
"Officers searched the vicinity but could find no trace of the suspect or the dog.
"The dog is a five-months-old female Yorkshire Terrier with black and brown fur.
"The suspect is described as a white male, with short brown hair aged between 15 and 20 years old. He was wearing all black clothing.
Police have asked anyone with information to call them on 101 quoting crime reference number 3835251/15, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Asked what she would say to the person who had taken Jessie, Ms Nowak said: "Please just bring her back."
Did you see anything? Email daniel.omahony@newsquest.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel