Caught on camera: thief steals python from pet shop by hiding it down his trousers
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A thief stole a two-foot long python from a pet store by stuffing it in to his trousers.
The man, who is wearing a black top and baseball cap, can be seen looking at stock in the A to Z pet store in Portland, Oregon, before making his way over to the snake tanks.
After opening the glass panelled tank, the snake thief can be seen handling the reptile before pulling the waist band of his trousers forward and pushing the python in.
The thief readjusts his clothing before returning to the pet store to browse the aisles once more.
Christin Bjugan, owner of the shop, said when she arrived at the shop, she noticed the snake was missing and the locks on the cage were unlatched.
Ms Bjugan said it was “pretty gutsy” for the man to put the python into his trousers, adding it could have been a bad move as it was close to feeding day.
The shop owner said she was left gobsmacked after seeing the CCTV footage of the man taking the python, which would sell for £275 [$400].
She added: “We thought ‘Oh my gosh, he put it in his pants'. He opened up the front, dropped it in, situated it, adjusted himself and walked out.
“It is not normal. That is not a place you want to put a snake.”
Sergeant Greg Stewart from Portland Police Bureau, said no arrests had been made and this was the first time he had investigated such a bizarre theft.
He said: “If you look at the theft of stuff from pet stores, a lot of times it's someone wandering in drunk and doing something stupid.
“This one's a little bit different, although putting a snake down your pants is not super bright. There's a lot of different ways that could go wrong.”
To view the CCTV footage click here
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