A South Jersey couple is reeling from a break-in at their home, not because of some inanimate items that were stolen, but because of a very special friend that was taken away.

The couple's 8-month-old puppy named Monkey was taken.

The Egg Harbor city house shared by Erin White and Stephen Duran was ransacked early Friday.

The burglar swiped liquor, a DVD player and some other things, but it's the theft of Monkey that has White and Duran shaking their heads.

"It's heartbreaking. She's just like a part of your family. She's just like a little baby," White said.

Police said they're close to arresting a suspect after lifting a fingerprint from the scene and following the burglar's footprints.

Anyone with information on the burglary or any of the other recent break-ins in Egg Harbor city can call police at 609-965-1200.