Hamilton police brought in the K9 unit on Wednesday to aid in the meaty task of catching a suspected steak thief.

Around 4:15 p.m. on Monday, a man entered a grocery store on Stone Church Road East just west of Upper Ottawa Street. Police say he picked out $250 worth of steaks and then fled the store without paying.

While arriving on scene, police noticed the man running to an area east of the supermarket.

Police set up a perimeter near the intersection of Loconder Drive an Upper Gage. With the help of the K9 unit, officers spotted the suspect again and arrested him.

A 21-year-old faces a charge of theft under $5,000 in the carnivorous caper. He was held for bail.

The beef was not recovered.