GUILDERLAND — A West Highland terrier puppy that was stolen from the Pet Zone in Crossgates Mall on Wednesday was back in the store on Friday, having first made a stop at an Albany shelter for the homeless.

The two women who police say walked off with the dog were still at large.

The little white dog was stolen at about 12:19 p.m. on Oct. 25, according Curtis Cox, deputy chief of the Guilderland Police.

He said the dog had been displayed in a stand-alone cage at the front of the store, “where you walk in,” to attract customers and, while “employees were distracted” toward the back of the store, two women “helped themselves to the dog.”

“They left with one girl carrying the dog under her arm,” said Cox. At the mall, the two women boarded CDTA bus 12, getting off at South Pearl Street in Albany.

“We secured photos of them getting on the CDTA bus,” said Cox. There are also pictures of the two women in the mall. In both cases, the dog is being held by one of the women.

The suspects, Guilderland Police said in a release, are two black women in their early to mid-20s; one wore a black and gold hoodie and black pants with socks and velcro sandals while the other wore a gray sweatshirt and black pants with Ugg-style boots.

“We put it out on media Wednesday night and we got a call from Albany Police,” said Cox. “People had dropped the dog off at a homeless shelter.”

Cox declined to name the shelter because the investigation, headed by Roger Ginder, is ongoing.

“We know who they were,” Cox said of the people who dropped off the dog. They are not suspects in the case, he said. They were interviewed by Albany Police, he said, and Cox does not know why they took the dog to a homeless shelter.

Steve Smith, spokesman for the Albany Police, did not return a call seeking comment before press time.

“Guilderland Animal Control brought the dog back and examined it. It’s in good health; it wasn’t abused,” said Cox.

He said the suspects’ motive is “not yet” known. “We’re receiving lots of tips,” said Cox.

The suspects, once they’re found, will be charged “at least with grand larceny; the dog was worth over $1,000,” Cox said, adding there may be other charges as well.

Guilderland Police ask that anyone with information call the department at (518) 356-1501.