A Pinellas County man is under arrest after police say he stole a puppy from a store and then traded it for crack cocaine and cash.



The Largo Police Department says on Jan. 12 a man, later identified as 38-year-old Wayne Junior Barfield, was captured on video at the All About Puppies on Ulmerton Road placing a Yorkshire terrier puppy down his shirt and exiting the store.



Detectives said they learned later that same day that Barfield was driven to the area of 4th Street and 75th Avenue N in St. Petersburg, where he allegedly traded/sold the puppy, valued at $1,600, in exchange for crack cocaine and cash.



On Jan. 14, Largo Police detectives positively identified Barfield and he was arrested the next day on a charge of grand theft.



Investigators said Barfield told them he disposed of the dog but would not disclose to whom.



Largo police say the Yorkie is micro-chipped and the chip information is entered as stolen in state and national computer databases. Any veterinarian checking the microchip will be alerted to the dog's stolen status.



Anyone with further information is urged to call the Largo Police Department at (727) 586-7478.



All About Puppies is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the return of the Yorkie.

