TUCSON, Ariz. -- A thief crawled in air-conditioning ducts, stole four puppies worth $9,000 and left a trail of blood at the Tucson crime scene, police said.

The thief tripped the alarm in the break-in of the Petland store, but was gone by the time police arrived.

The intruder broke the glass that kept the dogs in their kennels, according to the Arizona Daily Star.

Store manager Kim Romic said the thieves got away with four puppies between eight and 10 weeks old. Two were yellow Labradors, one was a German shepherd and another was a French mastiff.

She said she believes the thief would have to be very small to be able to get through the air conditioning duct.

Romic said whoever it was cut himself while busting into the store on Tuesday and left a trail of blood behind. Police collected it as evidence.

Three puppies that hadn't been taken were found running around store, police said.

Store staff has asked the public to keep an eye out for anyone trying to sell large-breed dogs like the ones taken from the store.

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