Crime & Safety
Homeless Man Tries to Sell Family's Escaped Pet
The Newark Police Department was able to reunite the dog with its owner and credits an observant resident for calling to report the suspicious behavior
By AUTUMN JOHNSON
A homeless man was arrested after police say he tried to sell a dog that had escaped from its yard earlier in the day.
According to a Nixle Alert released by Newark police, a resident saw Robert Maldonado, a well-known local transient, walking with a dog described as a "beautiful Husky." Having never seen Maldonado with a dog in the past, the resident called police.
An investigation revealed that a 6-year-old female Husky named "Chloe" had been reported missing by its owners.
Police say Officer Matt Warren discovered Maldonado was trying to sell the animal. Maldonado was found in the area of Blackwood Dr. and was arrested by officers. He was booked at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin and is being held on charges of 485 PC— misappropriation of lost property, along with four misdemeanor warrants.
Police are crediting the vigilant resident for calling police to report the suspicious behavior which led to the arrest and the recovery of Chloe.
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