Boys Face Charges After Stealing Snakes from Tattoo Shop

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio - Two youths have been charged in the theft of three snakes, including an 8-foot-long boa constrictor, from a downtown tattoo parlor.

The boa was found trapped in a trash can and one of two other non-venomous corn snakes also was recovered, police said. They were taken Sunday night.

Edward Morris, owner of Custom Tattoo, said he was concerned about what the boa might do.

"It eats large rabbits," Morris said. "It could do some damage to a child or if the wrong person got a hold of it."

Police said a woman had called Morris and said her 11-year-old son confided that he had a snake taken in the break-in. The boy gave the boa to a 13-year-old friend, whose grandmother told him he couldn't keep the big snake, said Juvenile Detective Bobby Reese.

Police said they found the boa stuffed in a trash can in the alley, with the lid on the can and a tire on top, and recovered one corn snake. They were still searching for the other snake, which is pregnant.

Police charged the 11-year-old with juvenile delinquency with complicity to breaking and entering and receiving stolen property. The older boy was charged with juvenile delinquency by way of receiving stolen property.

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Found this followup right after reading the original article.







MIDDLETOWN — A third snake stolen Sunday night during a break-in at a Central Avenue tattoo parlor has been returned to its owner.

Two youths have been charged in the theft of the three snakes, an 8-foot-long boa constrictor and two corn snakes — all nonvenomous — taken from Custom Tattoo when its door was kicked in.

The boa constrictor and one corn snake, also a constricting snake, were recovered.

On Wednesday, an anonymous caller told the shop owner the snake, which was pregnant, would be returned — no questions asked, said Middletown Juvenile Detective Bobby Reese. The owner agreed, and by Wednesday afternoon the third snake was safe in its home.

Police recovered two of the snakes, one trapped in a trash can and the other in the custody of an 11-year-old boy who has been charged in connection with the break-in, according to police.

Reese said he did a bit of "arm twisting" Tuesday in hopes of finding the third snake, which also is a large constrictor.

The snake is doing well, Reese said, but the eggs she was carrying are no longer viable.

"I am just glad to have the snake back before Thanksgiving, "Reese said with a laugh. "I dreamed about that snake last night."

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Um....corn snakes are "large contrictors"?

Wow, people's idiocy will never cease amazing me.

Originally Posted by Cat_72

Um....corn snakes are "large contrictors"?

Wow, people's idiocy will never cease amazing me.

Originally Posted by Cat_72

Um....corn snakes are "large contrictors"?

Wow, people's idiocy will never cease amazing me.

:P i was going to ask that very same question...