SCOTTSDALE, AZ — A man accused of stealing a rescue puppy from a Scottsdale home has been arrested and charged.
Scottsdale police report that on July 9 a home near Pima and Indian school roads was burglarized. Police say the suspects used a hidden key to enter the house. They allegedly took keys to a van, cosmetics and a 5-week old female Australian Shepherd-Chihuahua mix puppy.
Police say the couple tried to steal the van, but were unable to because the van was having mechanical issues.
Neighbors reported that a white SUV with a woman and man inside was seen parked across from the home.
After local news stations reported on the missing puppy, Mesa police received word from a confidential informant that Zachary John Selby, 28, was the man responsible for stealing the puppy.
According to the informant, Selby and a woman were seen playing with the puppy after the burglary. They allegedly told a family member that they intended to steal the van, but took the puppy instead, when the van failed to start.
On July 30, Selby was arrested on an unrelated probation violation and was still in custody, police say. On August 5, police confirmed his fingerprints matched those found on interior door handles of the burglarized home.
When questioned, Selby denied any involvement in the burglary and refused to divulge the location of the stolen puppy.
Selby has been charged with burglary.
