Cops: Hanover man stole puppy, sold on Craigslist for $100

HANOVER TWP. – A 30-year-old man, who is temporarily living at the Econo Lodge motel in the Whippany section of the township, has been charged with stealing a puppy and selling it on Craigslist for $100.

Daniel E. Dowling, who is unemployed, was charged Friday by township Officer Robert Carpenter with theft by unlawful taking. A criminal complaint filed in Superior Court, Morristown, alleges that Dowling on June 10 sold a puppy that belonged to a person identified only as R.G. by putting an ad on Craigslist.

The puppy, whose owner estimated its value at $1,000, was sold for $100, according to court records.

Additional information — including the puppy’s breed, whether it was recovered, and how the alleged theft was traced to Dowling — was not immediately available Monday. Carpenter, the arresting officer, is recovering from non-life-threatening injuries he sustained early Saturday when he was on Route 287 to assist state troopers with an accident and his vehicle was struck by an alleged drunken driver.

Dowling’s bail was initially set at $2,500 with no 10 percent option but was modified to $10,000 with a 10 percent option during a bail review Monday by Municipal Court Judge Andrew Wubbenhorst.

Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Tara Vyas told the judge that Dowling, who is living temporarily at the motel while he looks for a permanent home, has been arrested seven times previously and twice in Florida. Attorney Dolores Mann unsuccessfully asked the judge to release Dowling on his own recognizance after the suspect said he couldn’t afford any bail.

Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@GannettNJ.com.