Monmouth County authorities have arrested the person accused of stealing a small dog from an animal shelter on Christmas Eve.

Eatontown police say that Susan Bajew, 63, confessed to stealing the dog after she was questioned by police.

Bajew was a customer at the shelter on the day a 9-year-old tawny-colored male Pomeranian named Tub Tub went missing from the Eatontown SPCA, according to officials. Bajew is a former volunteer at the shelter.

Police say that they identified Bajew as the suspect following a tip from a member of the public.

Bajew allegedly told police that she took Tub Tub because she could not afford to buy him.

The Eatontown SPCA previously offered a reward for the dog’s safe return.

Tub Tub has been returned to the shelter and was not harmed.