Donald W. Urick

Police say a Pennsylvania man set up an Internet site to sell puppies, then took money from customers in Texas and Tennessee but never produced the pets. 

Donald W. Urick, 52, of Johnstown, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Monday before District Judge Mary Ann Zanghi of Vinco, Pennsylvania.

Urick has been charged with with three counts of deceptive business practices and three counts of theft by deception.

Police say Urick advertised puppies for sale on the Internet then accepted $2,000 from a woman in Texas and $800 from a woman in Tennessee but failed to deliver the puppies.

Urick reportedly told the Texas woman the puppy had died, police said.

Police also said a third victim has come forward.

“There may be more victims out there,” Hinterliter said.

Urick is being held in the Cambria County Prison on $50,000 percentage bond.

Buchnowski writes for the Johnston (Pa.) Tribune-Democrat.