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10-29-2009, 07:16 PM

Police: Homeless man hid stolen ferret in pants

Suspect faces theft, battery charges for dangerously wielding the animal

The Associated Press
updated 9:38 a.m. CT, Thurs., Oct . 29, 2009

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. - It's one thing for shoplifters to hide plunder in their pants. But a live ferret?

Police say a homeless man in north Florida did just that. And he made it out the door before being challenged.

Thirty-eight-year-old Rodney Bolton is charged with theft over the $129 animal that police say he took from a pet store in Jacksonville Beach.

A 17-year-old witness confronted Bolton in the parking lot and was bitten by the animal after the man allegedly shoved it in the teen's face.

That confrontation makes the ferret a "special weapon" under Florida law. So Bolton also faces battery charges for dangerously wielding the animal.

Calls to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Department to see if Bolton has a lawyer were not answered early Thursday.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33531981/ns/us_news-weird_news/?GT1=43001

10-29-2009, 07:16 PM	#1
generalexotics	Police: Homeless man hid stolen ferret in pants Police: Homeless man hid stolen ferret in pants Suspect faces theft, battery charges for dangerously wielding the animal The Associated Press updated 9:38 a.m. CT, Thurs., Oct . 29, 2009 JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. - It's one thing for shoplifters to hide plunder in their pants. But a live ferret? Police say a homeless man in north Florida did just that. And he made it out the door before being challenged. Thirty-eight-year-old Rodney Bolton is charged with theft over the $129 animal that police say he took from a pet store in Jacksonville Beach. A 17-year-old witness confronted Bolton in the parking lot and was bitten by the animal after the man allegedly shoved it in the teen's face. That confrontation makes the ferret a "special weapon" under Florida law. So Bolton also faces battery charges for dangerously wielding the animal. Calls to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Department to see if Bolton has a lawyer were not answered early Thursday. Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33531981/ns/us_news-weird_news/?GT1=43001