(Aurora, Ind.) - An Aurora man is accused of stealing a puppy, then trying to sell it.

Dearborn County Sheriff’s deputies were called to investigate a report of a stolen pit bull puppy on Stoney Lonesome Road in Aurora on Wednesday, October 10. The dog’s owner later spotted the dog at a home on nearby Indiana Avenue.

Deputies questioned the resident who directed police to, Matthew Seabolt, who also lives on Stoney Lonesome Road. The resident said Seabolt had dropped the dog off at her home earlier and asked her to watch the dog because Seabolt was not allowed to have it at his residence, investigators wrote in a court affidavit.

When questioned, Seabolt allegedly claimed he found the puppy running loose, but made no attempt to return it or contact animal control.  

“Seabolt then stated that he was going to sell the puppy knowing that it did not belong to him,” the affidavit read.

Seabolt was arrested and charged with Theft (Class D felony). He has since been released from the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center.