A Knox County man was reunited with his pet Shih Tzu after his pickup was stolen with the dog inside. Submitted by Knox County Sheriff's Office
A suspect was arrested Monday in connection with the theft of a pickup last week that spurred a search for both the truck and the Shih Tzu left inside, authorities said.
Donald Jack Cates, 39, was taken into custody without a fight after deputies found him hiding in a house along Tipton Station Road, according to the Knox County Sheriff's Office.
Cates is the lone suspect in the Thursday night theft of a Chevy S-10 pickup that was taken from the parking lot of the Weigel's at 3104 Gov. John Sevier Highway.
The truck's owner, John J. Roberts, said he left the pickup unlocked with the engine running as he briefly stepped inside the store while Lulu, his 11-year-old Shih Tzu, waited in the passenger seat.
KCSO deputies were involved in a brief pursuit with the pickup hours later on Magazine Road until losing sight of the stolen vehicle.
The pickup, with Lulu still safely inside, was discovered abandoned in a driveway along Government Farm Road on Friday morning.
Roberts was brought to the scene by authorities, who reunited him with his pet.
Cates faces charges of felony theft and animal cruelty. He was being held Monday in lieu of $17,500 bond.