EPHRATA, PA — A Maryland woman has been charged with theft by unlawful taking after police say she took a family member’s dog.
Jennifer Gayle Sappington, 50, of Maryland, was charged with the first-degree misdemeanor offense.
Ephrata Police Department began an investigation on May 6, 2026, into the theft of a dog that occurred on May 4, 2026, in the first block of North Market Street.
Police determined that Sappington took the dog from the victim’s property and fled to Maryland.
An arrest warrant was obtained for Sappington through Magisterial District Judge Bearinger’s office on May 7, 2026.
Baltimore County Sheriff’s Department took Sappington into custody on May 15, 2026, and she was incarcerated in the Baltimore County Prison.
Ephrata Police extradited Sappington back to Lancaster County on May 27, 2026, where she was incarcerated in the Lancaster County Prison on the arrest warrant and an outstanding Lancaster County bench warrant.
Sappington was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Monson on May 28, 2026, and is being held at Lancaster County Prison on $100,000 bail.
