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A New York man stole 10 puppies from multiple Lancaster County dog breeders using a stolen identity, fake checks and a misleading badge according to charges filed by Pennsylvania State Police.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Devon Laurice Bowen, 43, of Hudson, is charged with numerous counts of forgery, identity theft, theft by deception and other related charges.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to a criminal complaint filed by State police last week, in Summer 2022, Bowen contacted a Drumore Township dog breeder through Lancaster Puppies, a dog breeder brokerage website, and inquired about purchasing a labradoodle puppy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bowen met with the breeder, purchased the dog with cash and returned a week later to buy six Australian shepherd puppies for $5,300. This time, Bowen paid with a check signed using the name Darryl Robinson. When the breeder hesitated to accept the check, police say Bowen showed him what looked like a police badge and assured him it was real.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When the dog breeder went to deposit the check, he was informed it was counterfeit.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Police say Bowen defrauded two other Lancaster County dog breeders, including an Amish family, purchasing a total of 10 dogs with counterfeit checks. During the purchases, police say, Bowen provided the sellers with a driver\u2019s license stolen from a New Jersey man and claimed to be a New York City police officer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Using a telephone number and emails used to contact the sellers, police identified Bowen as the buyer. According to the criminal complaint, Bowen operated an account on the Lancaster Puppies website, where he sold numerous puppies. Police did not say if any of the stolen puppies were resold by Bowen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bowen used a New York probation officer\u2019s badge belonging to a relative to pose as a law enforcement officer, state police say.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since being charged Friday, Bowen had not been taken into police custody as of Wednesday afternoon. According to court documents, he is awaiting a preliminary hearing.\u00a0<\/p>\n