Video: Yorkie Reportedly Traded for Crack Found

LARGO, FL — The Yorkshire terrier puppy stolen from a Largo pet shop recently and reportedly traded for crack cocaine and cash has been recovered safe and sound.

“The dog is currently being checked out by a veterinarian who identified the dog via its microchip,” Largo Police announced Wednesday morning.

As it turns out, vets at St. Petersburg’s Partridge Animal Hospital became suspicious after seeing media reports about the puppy’s theft. It seems the temporary family who wound up with the critter named it Cookie and took it to the vet’s office after it “became very sick three days ago,” the police department wrote in an email to media.

Largo Detective Lance Moore is now trying to piece together just where the dog has been since it was reported stolen from All About Puppies last week. It is currently unclear if the family knew the puppy was stolen or if it paid for the creature.

Wayne Junior Barfield, 38, stands accused in the theft. Police say he walked into All About Puppies, 7190 Ulmerton Road, on Jan. 12 and scooped up the puppy. Barfield then stuffed the dog, valued at $1,600, down his shirt and walked out of the store, the email said. The act was caught on video.

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• Man Traded Stolen Puppy For Crack Cocaine, Cops Say

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 Barfield’s arrest was announced Tuesday, the puppy remained on the missing list until Wednesday morning.

During their investigation, detectives learned 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.

While the puppy will soon return to its rightful owners once it receives medical clearance from the vet’s office, Barfield remained in the Pinellas County Jail Wednesday in lieu of $5,363 bond. Police say the investigation into the case continues.

Booking photo and image of the recovered Yorkie courtesy of the Largo Police Department