Man arrested for theft of rare sankes

[stu]

From this story

FOUNTAIN VALLEY -- An employee at a pet store in Orange County is accused of stealing three valuable snakes.
The most valuable snake was called a Tiger Titanium Reticulated Python and was valued at $12,000. The other two are called Tiger Het Titanium Pythons and are valued at $2,000 each. The theft of the snakes occurred sometime during September - October of 2007 but not reported until last week.
Mauricio Mayer, was working at Pre-Historic Pets at the time of the theft, but denied any knowledge. Through a series of witness interviews, police learned that Mayer was trying to sell the snakes. The 32- year old was later arrested trying to sell the snakes to an undercover detective during a sting operation.
Police say a search of Mayer's residence led to the discovery of three AR 15 assault rifles along with magazines and ammunition for the weapons.
The search also revealed several more snakes and reptiles, many of which are illegal to possess since they are venomous.
The list of snakes and reptiles that were identified by the Orange County Animal Control are as follows:
Gila Monster (1) False Water Cobras (2) Neotropical Rattlesnakes (2) Beaded Lizards (3) Sufan Cobras (2) Albino Monical Cobras (2) Monical Cobra (1) Sidewinder Rattlesnake (1) Piranhas (11) Copperhead (1) Carpet Pythons (2) Albino Redtail Boa (1) Redtail Boas (2) Ball Pythons (5) Monitor Lizards (2)
Mayer is booked on possession of stolen property as well as manufacturing and possession of assault weapons.
His bail was set at $20,000.

[mjvale1]

Thats great that they cought him, but why throw in the gun charges, you can own ar-15 leagally, I have 3 too and use them to protect my babys!!

[KarleyandBrad]

Wowww someone's in trouble.

Pre-historic pets?? Wowww.

[Icicle]

Politics for you.
Do one wrong get charge for all.

Glad the caught him for steeling the Snakes

[Stargazer]

What were they doing selling copperheads at a pet shop? I'm surprised they even know what a tiger titanium reticulated python is. I've never heard of it myself. Strange story. And I used to live in the neighboring town to Fountain Valley and went to the Fountain Valley H.S. prom way back when (just a completely useless piece of trivia.)

But the story would have had a happy ending if the retic chewed the guy's face off.

[telefrag]

Originally Posted by mjvale1

Thats great that they cought him, but why throw in the gun charges, you can own ar-15 leagally, I have 3 too and use them to protect my babys!!

Its california, they have pretty strict gun legislation regarding capacity/type etc.
Most AR-15's aren't california compliant, although they may have been and the media was just hyping it up to make the whole situation more "sinister"

[VexalUntil]

Originally Posted by Stargazer

What were they doing selling copperheads at a pet shop? I'm surprised they even know what a tiger titanium reticulated python is. I've never heard of it myself. Strange story. And I used to live in the neighboring town to Fountain Valley and went to the Fountain Valley H.S. prom way back when (just a completely useless piece of trivia.)
But the story would have had a happy ending if the retic chewed the guy's face off.

Why can't a pet store sell copperheads? There's no laws saying a pet store can't, the business would just have to have the proper insurance policy. It's Prehistoric Pets, I'm sure they can get whatever animal a customer would want, or the guy could have bought/acquired them from another source. My local pet shop can get me just about anything I want as well, provided I have the money and proper licenses.

[KarleyandBrad]

Originally Posted by VexalUntil

Why can't a pet store sell copperheads? There's no laws saying a pet store can't, the business would just have to have the proper insurance policy. It's Prehistoric Pets, I'm sure they can get whatever animal a customer would want, or the guy could have bought/acquired them from another source. My local pet shop can get me just about anything I want as well, provided I have the money and proper licenses.

I think she means

why would they sell Copperheads - because any Joe Schmo could just walk into PHP and just pick up one; not knowing anything about it.

[florida 87]

What an a-hole. Thats all I'll say about that.

Pet shops that sell hots have them in locked cages and require proper licenses for people to purchase them so Joe Schmo can't just walk in and pick one up.

	Venomous Reptile A term commonly used to refer to a venomous reptile. Most commonly used in reference to venomous snakes.