One puppy, some presents recovered after Grinch steals family's Christmas

HOLIDAY (FOX 13) - Deputies have recovered one puppy and some of a Pasco County family's Christmas presents after they were stolen on Monday.

Deputies are searching for Jose Torres, who was staying with the family in Holiday. The family said he was a friend who had fallen on hard times and they were helping him by letting him stay at their home.

Brianna Rodriguez, who is seven months pregnant, called deputies saying he stole all the family's Christmas presents from right under the tree, a laptop, and four puppies. She says he also stole televisions off the kids' walls.

"I can't imagine why anybody would rob kids of their Christmas. He knew well that all those Christmas presents were for the kids. He knew that the puppies were going home on Christmas morning for other children," she said. "Our Christmas was definitely robbed along with a couple other families if we don't get those puppies back safe."

Tuesday, deputies received a call from someone who had seen the initial report on FOX 13 and believed he bought a puppy matching one of the stolen puppy's descriptions. Deputies were able to recover the puppy along with some of the family's presents, which they returned to the family Tuesday afternoon.

Rodriguez said the puppies, French and English Bulldogs, are worth about $12,000 and the presents cost $2,000. She's most concerned about having the animals returned because they haven't yet received all their vaccinations and shouldn't be outside.

Deputies are actively searching for Torres and ask anyone who has any information on his whereabouts to call the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.