Jeff Houston retreives some of his stolen snakes

Anaheim man sets up internet sting to retrieve exotic pythons


The Associated Press
ANAHEIM -- A Southern California pool contractor set up an internet sting to retrieve the ball pythons that were stolen from his home in January.

Jeff Houston of Anaheim said he never gave up hope that he would find the reptiles, worth a total of $75,000. He checked pet stores and the internet, where he noticed someone selling an adult male Mojave ball python for $18,000. He tried to get more information but said the seller was reticent. He got a relative to e-mail the seller and ask for a photo and after viewing it, he knew he'd found one of his own.

Using the family member's e-mail, Houston wrote that a friend was in town for a reptile trade show and would buy the snake. Then he contacted police and got an officer to pose as the buyer.

The officers met with Jeffery Quon, 24, of Anaheim Hills and arrested him for investigation of burglary and possession of stolen property. Quon had bought two snakes from Houston before the break-in. He was released on $50,000 bail.

Police said they took Houston to Quon's home. where he identified eight more of his pythons. Houston had more than 100 snakes, but he hoped the exotic pythons would pay for his retirement.

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