Police say a man from New York was seen beating a puppy in the parking lot at Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus.

A witness told officers the man punched, kicked and threw the dog into a car at the mall, according to police. They say the witness took note of the vehicles registration and told responding officers. The vehicle fled the area before the officers arrived.

Security footage showed Joseph Caraccia, 39, of West Haverstraw, New York, abusing an 8-month-old Pitbull puppy named Stormy on Oct. 3.

Police say they were told the puppy's owner asked Caraccia to dog-sit. They say Stormy's owner did not know about the incident and was asked to get the dog evaluated by a veterinarian. The condition of the dog is unknown.

Caraccia faces animal abuse charges. He turned himself in to the Paramus Police Department on Oct. 11 before being transported to Bergen County Jail.