An incident of reported animal theft was solved and the alleged perpetrator arrested.
According to court records, a Tipton resident reported letting her two dogs out the morning of Jan. 1. When they had not returned by about 9:30 a.m., she contacted the Tipton Police Department. The boxer was located and returned to the owner. While searching for the missing pug, the investigating officer allegedly heard a small dog barking in a residence several blocks away, but no one answered the door.
A landlord was contacted to open the residence, but the door was allegedly answered by Scott Brice Campbell, 43, who claimed there was no dog on the premises. The officer is alleged to have noticed movement of a case of beer on a plastic box in the residence. The investigation is alleged to have resulted in the pug being found in the plastic box.
Campbell has been charged with Class D Felony of Stealing Animals.
If convicted on this charge, he could face up to four years in prison and $5,000 fine. Bond has been set at $2,500.
The defendant is alleged to have told the arresting officer that being charged didn't bother him, as he had gotten away with all the other stealing charges and all it would mean is that he would get a hot meal and a warm place to sleep for the night.