Police in Prince George's County made arrests in a case involving the theft of more than 60 reptiles from pet stores in Maryland and Virginia, with the animals allegedly later offered for sale on social media.
Here's what to know
According to WJLA, investigators indicated that the thefts happened between March and May at pet stores in Fairfax, Prince George's, Charles, and Baltimore counties.
Police identified two of the people charged as DeSean Bagley, 31, and Xavier Igo, 21, and said a third suspect, a woman whose name has not been released, remains wanted.
Igo turned himself in on Aug. 8, while police took Bagley into custody on Aug. 6 at his Capitol Heights home.
Prince George's and Fairfax County officers were there to serve a warrant, and police said Bagley had a handgun when they arrived.
More background
Fairfax County detectives reviewed surveillance footage from three Petco stores and saw how the thefts were carried out, Captain Richard Cash of the Fairfax County Police Department said.
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"They would disconnect the locking mechanisms for the cages and then on video detectives were able to witness them removing the animals from the cages, placing them into bags they brought to the store with them and then exiting," Cash explained.
A search of Bagley's home turned up six geckos, two bearded dragons, 11 ball pythons, two milk snakes, and two handguns, per WJLA.
Outside a Petco, Jennifer Ballenger told the outlet that the allegations left her stunned.
"I think it's crazy," she remarked. "I don't know why anybody would do that."
What's being done?
After tracing evidence into Prince George's County, Fairfax detectives coordinated with local police there to make the arrests.
Prince George's County Animal Control received the recovered reptiles, and aside from the third person involved in the theft, investigators said they do not think there are additional suspects.
Bagley was charged with two petit larceny counts, felony larceny with intent to sell, and felony mask in public.
Igo faced a petit larceny charge, and police sought the unidentified woman on two petit larceny counts, two misdemeanor concealment-of-goods charges, and felony larceny with intent to sell.
Investigators said some reptiles were still missing, the suspects have not cooperated, and anyone with information was asked to contact police or Crime Solvers, WJLA reported.
"Hopefully they're taking care of them because they need a lot of care; you can't just take something and not care for it," Ballenger said.
Where can I learn more?
This case was just one example of a broader illegal trade in exotic animals.
• Along the Vermont-Quebec border, authorities stopped protected turtle smuggling for profit.
• In Florida, federal agents alleged nearly 2,000 turtles were shipped overseas in a $550,000 scheme.
• At an Israeli zoo, police recovered stolen birds after a heist involving endangered species.
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