Police searching for alleged dog thief in Fla.

NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WHDH) -- Police are searching for the crook who took off with a puppy from in front of a South Florida home.

James Faulk and his wife Vanessa are devastated after their 9-month-old Maltese named Lebron was stolen when he slipped under the gate while chasing a cat. "The black and white cat slid under here," said Vanessa, "and he's small. He slid under here, also looking for the cat."

The Faulks' home surveillance video captured a white SUV stopping in front of their home on Northwest 165th Street, Monday afternoon. "My dog is wiggling his tail, like he knows him, but he doesn't know this guy," said James.

The driver could be seen walking out of his vehicle and picking up the puppy. He then walks to the front porch of the home, looks around, and without knocking on the door, he walks back to his vehicle and drives away with the Maltese. James said he thinks he is pretending to care about returning the dog. "I think it was like to throw someone off," he said. "When he picked him up and walked him to the door, like he tried, but he never made the attempt cause you can come to my porch. If I'm not really looking, I don't know who's on the porch."

Vanessa said she is devastated and wants the man responsible to bring her dog back. "All night we were up just hoping the guy would bring him back," she said.

"We named him Lebron cause he was the biggest out of the batch," said James.

The owners have offered a $500 reward. If you have any information on the man or the white Maltese, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.