What sets a quality retail thief apart from your run-of-the-mill shoplifter is their ability to adapt. Take for example, the man in NYC who, realizing that he couldn’t crack open the cash register, saw possibility for profit by stashing a pricey puppy in his pants.

Luckily for the Internet, the entire thing was caught on tape.

You can see in the video that the man’s accomplice distracts the pet store’s cashier by calling him over to take a look at a pug.

While that happens, the thief attempts to open the register — three times — to no avail.

But rather than give up or escalate the situation to threats of violence, he sees an opportunity… in the form of a 10-week-old Pomeranian that retails for $1,000.

“The puppy is trying to get out, and he’s pushing it back in,” the store’s owner tells the NY Post. “Then he covered it with his shirt.”

The store is now offering a $500 reward for the pup’s return.

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.