DALTON, Ga. — A ferret abducted from Petland in Dalton last month has been located and returned to the store safely, according to the Dalton Police Department.

“The suspect in the case was identified thanks to the help of multiple tips called in,” police spokesman Bruce Frazier said. “The suspect is not yet in custody, but when we do charge him we’ll release his name and info.”

The incident happened Jan. 27 at the Petland store at 1349 W. Walnut Ave. Shortly after 8:30 p.m., a group of six people (two males and four females), entered the store and spent several minutes walking around together. The group left the store and then came back inside a few minutes later before finally leaving together.

At approximately 9:40 p.m., one of the males and two females came back to the store. The females went to the area near the puppy cages while the male suspect went to the ferret cage. The male suspect spent several minutes with his hands in the cage, apparently concealing a baby ferret valued at $230 in his shirt sleeve. He then walked out of the store quickly. A police incident report notes the suspect “quickly walked out of the store while contorting his arm at odd angles and moving it around as if he were concealing something within his long sleeves.” After the suspect left, the two females quickly left the store together immediately afterwards.