Albuquerque Man Accused of Using Dog to Shoplift

Police say suspect employs aggressive tactics with his Belgian Malinois to steal from stores

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Albuquerque police are searching for a man named Cuauhtemoc Pruess-Silva who they say uses his dog, a black Belgian Malinois, to assist in retail thefts. Pruess-Silva allegedly kicks or shakes the dog to agitate it, allowing him to flee stores with stolen merchandise from businesses like Lululemon, Northface, and AutoZone.

Why it matters

The use of an animal as a tool to intimidate and enable criminal behavior raises concerns about public safety and animal welfare. Police are treating the dog as a deadly weapon, highlighting the potential for harm if the dog is provoked to attack.

The details

Court documents reveal that Pruess-Silva employs tactics such as kicking or shaking the dog to agitate it, enabling him to flee stores with stolen merchandise. Deborah Vigil, a trainer who works with law enforcement K-9s, explained the potential dangers of using a dog in this manner, noting that a bite from the dog's powerful jaws could be like "hitting a brick wall that can snap the jaw." Pruess-Silva faces charges of aggravated battery, as law enforcement considers the dog a deadly weapon in these thefts.

  • Pruess-Silva has a warrant for his arrest.

The players

Cuauhtemoc Pruess-Silva

A suspect in Albuquerque who is accused of using his dog, a black Belgian Malinois, to assist in retail thefts.

Deborah Vigil

A trainer who works with law enforcement K-9s and explained the potential dangers of using a dog in the manner Pruess-Silva is accused of.

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What they’re saying

“When we teach dogs to bite, we dont teach them to bite with their fronts, we teach them to bite with a grip. If you think about the end of a jaw, if you hit it hard enough, it's like hitting a brick wall that can snap the jaw.”

— Deborah Vigil, Trainer who works with law enforcement K-9s (kob.com)

What’s next

Police are actively searching for Pruess-Silva and his dog to make an arrest.

The takeaway

This case highlights the risks of using animals for criminal purposes, as well as the need for responsible pet ownership and training to prevent dogs from being used as weapons. It also raises questions about the appropriate charges and penalties for such behavior.