Police in Monmouth County are asking for the public’s help in locating two pugs stolen from their owner’s car.

Owner Joe Sacova says that he left the dogs inside his car while he quickly ran into the Goodwill State on Route 35 in Aberdeen Oct. 22. He says that he was only gone for about 15 minutes and did not think that anyone would take his dogs.

“I haven’t slept since this happened,” Sacova says. “I’m traumatized.”

Sacova says that the dogs, 7-year-old Basil and 4-year-old Joyce, are always by his side.

“These dogs are suffering right now,” he says.

Aberdeen police say the theft was captured on surveillance cameras. They say a man getting out of a gray Nissan took the dogs.

“He looks like he’s wearing some sort of camouflage-style jacket. A pair of lighter-color jeans,” says Capt. Joe Cole.

The man is seen parking next to Sacova’s Mustang, taking the dogs and then driving away on Route 35.

Police say that they aren’t sure if Sacova was targeted and followed, of if the theft was random.

Capt. Cole says that the suspect’s Nissan is the best lead.

“It looks like an Altima. No front plate. That can either mean it’s out of state or perhaps a temporary tag,” he says.

Meantime, Sacova is begging for the dogs to be returned safely.

“Please return these dogs. They’re suffering,” he says.

Police remind everyone to lock their car doors when leaving animals unattended.