MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — The case of a 9-week-old puppy that was stolen from a Shakopee pet store led police to a large marijuana growing operation in Northfield, Minn., according to authorities.

Northfield Interim Police Chief Chuck Walerius said when they ran the license plates of the vehicle seen leaving the pet store — with the stolen puppy — they came across a Northfield address.

After entering the residence, they came across a large pot-growing operation.

Walerius said police obtained a pick-up load of paraphernalia from the house.

However, the man accused in the puppy theft and the puppy were already gone. A woman living at the home, later identified as the man’s mother, told police she knew about the growing operation but wasn’t involved.

The woman told police her son and the dog left earlier and was headed to an unknown location out of state.

Police said the Rice County Attorney will determine possible charges in this case.