UPDATE: Kickback Jack’s has released photos of the people alleged to have taken the dog.

A family is asking for the public’s help after they say their dog was stolen from their car in the parking lot of Kickback Jack’s in Southern Pines. The dog was taken on Friday just before 8 p.m.

Southern Pines Police told Moore County News that the incident happened when a local couple that are in their 70’s were leaving Kickback Jack’s where they had just ate. The couple left their beige in color male Shih Tzu in the vehicle while they ate. When they returned, a man offered to assist the victims with getting into their vehicle. While doing so, the man grabbed the dog and ran to a nearby vehicle where a female was waiting. Both suspects then left the parking lot in a dark in color sedan.

The SPPD are working to get any surveillance footage for nearby businesses, and are asking the public if they witnessed this incident, to please contact them at 910-693-4110.

The family is asking the people that took the dog to return it to any safe location like a fire station, no questions asked.