Susan Bajew, 63, of Neptune, was arrested for stealing a dog from the Eatontown SPCA on Christmas Eve. (Courtesy of the Eatontown Police Department)

A 63-year-old woman stole a small dog from an animal shelter on Christmas Eve, Eatontown police said in a statement on Facebook.

Police on Wednesday announced the arrest of Susan Bajew, of Neptune, saying she confessed to stealing the 9-year-old Pomeranian because she did not have "any money to buy it," according to officials. Bajew, police said, was a former volunteer at the shelter.

The Pomeranian, named Tub Tub, was taken around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, the Monmouth County Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals had said in a Facebook post.

The SPCA had said the dog's microchip was also stolen.

Monmouth County SPCA Executive Director Ross Licitra had said that animal facilities are often busy before the holidays with people looking to adopt, and that staff didn't notice the dog was missing until its adoptive owner came in to pick up the animal, police previously said.

Bajew, police said, was a customer at the shelter on Christmas Eve when Tub Tub was stolen. The dog was returned to the shelter Wednesday, police said.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.