Rhode Island man accused of stealing dog outside of a restaurant

A Rhode Island man is charged with stealing an animal after police said he stole a dog from a restaurant parking lot.

Craig Malo, 44, of Richmond, allegedly took the dog while its owner was distracted making a phone call outside of the Dragon Palace restaurant, the Associated Press reported.

A witness reportedly told police that a man matching Malo’s description grabbed the dog, put it in his truck and said he was a police officer who would take the animal “right to the station.”

The dog was found unharmed, per the AP.

Information about Malo’s court date was not immediately available.