OC Man Arrested in Theft of Rare Snakes
June 27, 2008, 1:59 PM PDT
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.
