Police are asking the public's help in finding a dog that was snatched from outside a Stop & Shop in Stamford.

Police say the Yorkshire Terrier named Harlem was stolen last Wednesday from the Stop & Shop on West Main Street and Alvord Lane. Police say Harlem's owner ran into the store to pick up a few items, so she tied him up outside the store.

Police say when the woman came back out the dog was gone. They say she is very upset by what happened.

"You wouldn't think that this would happen," says Capt. Tom Barcello. "This kind of is a heartless act." 

Police say surveillance video shows a person come out of the store, untie Harlem and take off with him in a car. Police plan to release the footage soon.

"Although it happened here, the dog could be anywhere," says Barcello. "It wasn't like the individual walked the dog home, so we're searching for someone within a half-mile radius. So we're not sure if the individual is from Stamford, Greenwich, from out of state, we just don't know."

Anyone with information is asked to call Capt. Barcello at 203-977-5339.