A Baltimore man was charged this week with stealing seven Shih Tzu/Yorkie-mix puppies from an Aberdeen home in November.

Aberdeen Police said Kahili Hines, 28, of Baltimore, told them he sold the puppies at the Arundel Mills mall in Hanover while parading them around in a wagon; however, police said they have not been able to confirm that story.

Police say they want to locate the puppies but will not confiscate them from their new owners.

One of the puppies is believed to have died after suffering seizures on Dec. 9, which a Baltimore animal hospital confirmed with police.

Charging documents state that a man was attempting to sell the puppies for his sister and Hines went to the man’s apartment on North Post Road Nov. 15 to discuss buying one. Hines left to get $900 cash to buy a puppy and the seller fell asleep. Hines returned around 1:26 a.m. and shook the man awake, but still did not have the money. Hines left again, and the man once again fell asleep. When the seller woke up at 3:47 a.m., the puppies and their mother were gone.

After a Baltimore man was arrested for stealing seven puppies from an Aberdeen home, police are looking for information on the dogs' whereabouts. (Aberdeen Police Department/Courtesy)
After a Baltimore man was arrested for stealing seven puppies from an Aberdeen home, police are looking for information on the dogs’ whereabouts. (Aberdeen Police Department/Courtesy)

The mother dog was eventually located wandering the neighborhood, court records show.

Police told The Aegis they believe the motive was financial gain in selling the puppies. Nothing else was stolen from the apartment, they said.

Prosecutors charged Hines with first-degree and third-degree burglary, along with theft between $1,500 and $25,000.

Hines is being represented by the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, which did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Have a news tip? Contact Brendan Nordstrom at bnordstrom@baltsun.com or at 443-900-1353.