Florida man, Wayne Barfield, steals $1600 Yorkie from pet store, sells it for crack

An expensive, 2-pound dog was stolen from a Florida pet store and when the man was caught by police, he revealed he sold the dog for crack cocaine.

Wayne Junior Barfield, 38, was arrested after going in All About Puppies in Largo, near St. Petersburg, and stealing a 2-pound Yorkshire terrier which had just arrived in the store.

Dog napper Wayne Barfield

Bridget Royal, kennel manager at the pet store, recounted that she was snapping photos of the new puppy when Barfield approached and asked “How much is the puppy? Does the store offer financing for the dogs?” She says he then snatched the $1,600 pooch, stuffing her inside his sweater and hurried out the front door.

Barfield allegedly went to a shopping plaza in St. Petersburg, near a Winn-Dixie and Dunkin’ Donuts, where he traded the puppy for crack cocaine and cash.

Channel 10 News reported that the Yorkie had finally been recovered and taken to a veterinarian. The Yorkie was microchipped and was missing until Jan. 20 when a Largo detective was notified that an animal hospital in St. Petersburg was treating the stolen dog.

After seeing media reports about the theft of the dog, the animal hospital scanned the dog’s microchip and identified it. They then called authorities.

Royal told the news outlet that the puppy has already been sold to a customer.

Barfield was arrested and charged with grand theft, resisting an officer and not having a valid license. He is being held in the Pinellas County jail.

About the Author

Brandon Jones - Writer and Co-Founder of The Global Dispatch, Brandon has been covering news, offering commentary for years, beginning professionally in 2003 on Crazed Fanboy before expanding into other blogs and sites. Appearing on several radio shows, Brandon has hosted Dispatch Radio, written his first novel (The Rise of the Templar) and completed the three years Global University program in Ministerial Studies to be a pastor. To Contact Brandon email [email protected] ATTN: BRANDON