Cary, N.C. — A stolen golden retriever puppy called Lulu was reunited with her owner Thursday, Cary police said, after a woman, claiming she received the animal as a gift, returned her.

Authorities said the woman, identified as "Betty," told Lulu's owner, Andrea Sexton, her sister purchased Lulu for $50 from a man at a gas station in Angier.

Betty said she found Sexton's number on a flier, contacted her and met with her and determined the puppy was Lulu, police said.

Investigators said someone stole the dog, along with jewelry, a laptop computer and a digital camera from Sexton's home on Jan. 14.