Man Traded Stolen Yorkie for Crack Cocaine, Cops Say

LARGO, FL — The Largo Police Department says it has caught the man behind a recent dognapping, but the whereabouts of the critter remains a mystery.

Wayne Junior Barfield, 38, stands accused of walking into All About Puppies, 7190 Ulmerton Road, on Jan. 12 and scooping up a Yorkshire terrier. Barfield then stuffed the dog, valued at $1,600, down his shirt and walked out of the store, police wrote in an email to media. The act was caught on video.

A tip received by the agency led detectives to Lealman where they interviewed witnesses and identified a suspect, the email said. Barfield was brought into custody on grand theft charges Jan. 15.

While an arrest has been made, police say the Yorkie remains on the missing list. Detectives found out that Barfield got a ride to the area of Winn-Dixie and Dunkin’ Donuts at 4th Street and 75th Avenue North in St. Petersburg shortly after the Jan. 12 theft occurred. Once there, Barfield allegedly traded the dog for crack cocaine and cash, the email said.

“Barfield, currently incarcerated at the Pinellas County Jail, acknowledged he disposed of the dog, but would not disclose to whom,” the agency reported.

The dog is microchipped, police say, and its information has been entered into state and national databases as being stolen.

“Any veterinarian checking the microchip will be alerted to the dog’s stolen status,” the agency warned.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Detective Lance Moore at 727-586-7478. All About Puppies is offering a $1,000 reward for the Yorkie’s safe return.

As for Barfield, he remained in the Pinellas County Jail Tuesday in lieu of $5,363 bond.

Booking photo courtesy of the Largo Police Department