Philadelphia police have arrested and charged a 15-year-old boy from Nicetown, PA who held a beagle for ransom and attempted to extort money from its owner.

The minor suspect, whose name was withheld by authorities, was taken into custody in the early morning of Dec. 30. He was turned over to the custody of his parents while awaiting trial set on Jan. 31.

Bill Whiting, the owner of little brown Edna, was instrumental in leading police to the teenage extortionist.

Edna disappeared on Halloween when Whiting's door was opened for trick-or-treaters.

In desperation, he sent out nearly 1,500 "Missing Dog" posters containing his telephone number and offered a $500 reward.

On Nov. 10, he received a late-night phone call demanding for $600 in exchange for the dog.

He agreed to pay the ransom, only to find out three hours later that the dog was nonetheless killed.

Whiting closely coordinated with police, who were able to trace the telephone number used to call the dog owner.

With information supplied by the teenager's friends, the suspect was collared and charged with harassment, terroristic threats, theft by extortion and other counts for allegedly calling 57-year-old Whiting, an employee of the University of Pennsylvania's archaeology museum.

Police have yet to find Edna, the dog.