www.thoseanimalguys.com Warning!!!!

[Gecko_Den]

they have never been to jail in their entire lives.

Neither had Ted Kaczynski...

 

[dsirkle]

honestly I would go and repay all the victims..If I had 75,000 I would go in a heart beat. But I am only 19.

$75,000 is the loss of just one of the many victims. Imagine what the total cost of their crime wave was. It is fine for you to continue to consider your cousin as a family member and to not give up on him. But really, if a total stranger broke into your house and stole everything you owned or perhaps destroyed your family business that supported your family would your attitude toward that person be "Oh well he made a minor mistake. I will just forgive him and move on." Or would you be angry? You are expecting too much for people to excuse this very professional and costly crime wave.

 

[ForkedTung]

I should know because Adam is my cousin and I grew up with him ever since I was 2. no offense but you people are horrible. How can you go around and say that these people are horrible people and that they don't care about the animals. YOU DON'T KNOW THEM.

Kayla you seem to have a good heart, but it is seriously, seriously misplaced! It is not ours and especially not YOURS to forgive them for these crimes. It is the people who were ripped off and lost not only money, time, feeling of security, etc..., but as the one guy said " part of our family". Some people have great connections to their animals and consider them like children. It is very obvious that YOU don't. You have shown no remorse for what happended to those animals.It is also VERY, VERY obvious that those selfish, money-grubbing, scumbag, thieves, that unfortunately for you, your related to, had no respect whatsoever for the people they stole from, MUCH less the animals they stole and took such total crappy care of that we know at LEAST one died, and the others had serious health problems to the point of amputation. Is this getting through to you?
We " DONT KNOW THEM " nor would we EVER wish to! The fact remains that actions speak louder than words! Their actions spoke for how they value not only the animals, but society in general.
No one is interested in you defending them.There is no defense for what they did. Save your breath for someone who cares.
I also highly doubt and hope that NO ONE forgets what they have done.

 

[Gary O]

Just a heads up. these people will not be allowe in the Taylor Michigan show again. When this all happened I talked to Mike and Char about it They were in shock also. Now that i know they are out I will be talkign to Mike and Char and they will nto be allowed to vend or even come to the show. Selling stolen animals at the Taylor show was WRONG.

Yes I have sold animals to these people before I knew they were thieves. They seemed like great people. I never had anything stolen from me. They paid for everything. But that does not mean I will ever sell to them again. I was shocked when I seen the story.

 

[shrap]

Kayla you seem to have a good heart, but it is seriously, seriously misplaced! It is not ours and especially not YOURS to forgive them for these crimes. It is the people who were ripped off and lost not only money, time, feeling of security, etc..., but as the one guy said " part of our family". Some people have great connections to their animals and consider them like children. It is very obvious that YOU don't. You have shown no remorse for what happended to those animals.It is also VERY, VERY obvious that those selfish, money-grubbing, scumbag, thieves, that unfortunately for you, your related to, had no respect whatsoever for the people they stole from, MUCH less the animals they stole and took such total crappy care of that we know at LEAST one died, and the others had serious health problems to the point of amputation. Is this getting through to you?
We " DONT KNOW THEM " nor would we EVER wish to! The fact remains that actions speak louder than words! Their actions spoke for how they value not only the animals, but society in general.
No one is interested in you defending them.There is no defense for what they did. Save your breath for someone who cares.
I also highly doubt and hope that NO ONE forgets what they have done.

Excellent post!!

 

[dsirkle]

There is also an www.animalguys.com website that doesn't appear to be connected to these crooks. The website adress may have been purchased by some unfortunate people that weren't aware of the history.

 

[LauraB]

klocke09 ...

BIG DEAL WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES.

BIG DEAL!!! we all make mistakes, no one is perfect

Adam and Julie has never committed a crime in their lives *except for this one*

How can you go around and say that these people are horrible people and that they don't care about the animals. YOU DON'T KNOW THEM.

Not a big deal? Just a mistake?
No, a conscious choice and decision. Planned, orchestrated and carried out by more than one low-life idiot. Hardly a mistake. And a very very very big deal.

We all have choices to make in life. I love animals, we all love animals. I would never harm a living creature (mosquitos and flies being the exception), most of us here would never intentionally harm an animal.
Yet ... we have never robbed pet stores, we have never deprived an animal of proper care by taking it from a good home.
We have never disrepected the law or another's property or livelihood by breaking and entering and theft of thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of animals and pets.
We have never misrepresented ourselves nor even had the unmitigated audacity to ADVERTISE STOLEN animals as our own. Just as important, we have never caused innocent people to suffer fear, violation, stress or pain by invasion and theft. Imagine that!

Animals died and suffered because of those "decent and caring" people. The monetary value alone is horrendous, but the emotional, mental and physical toll to both the animals rightful owners and the animals themselves is far more costly than the dollar signs attached to the thefts.

The fact alone that that they would plan and commit these thefts is proof enough they have no respect for anyone or anything, including the animals you claim they love so much, and they deserve every amount of consquence the law will allow. They were motivated by disrespect, arrogance and greed. They felt entitled and to hell with everyone and everything else. Period.

Age and lack of previous crime is NO excuse. I would turn in my own son (18) in a heart-beat if he were involved in such crimes and I have no pity when grown people make their own choices and have to pay the consequences.

It's good you're in their corner. Others are not quite as forgiving and really don't have to be. They made that bed ... now they have to lay in it.

I wish you had the ability to see just really how big a deal it was.
Blood is only thicker than water until one has the gained the ability to truly empathize the feelings, experiences and fates of others (humans and animals alike) and feel outside the box, so to speak ... to view things as they really are.
==========================================================
(And gawd, I talk too much! Brevity has never been an asset and I apologize for it!)

 

[BezilsGirl]

If they "Love" animals so much, why would they steal them? Take them away from a really good place (a sanctuary) and then mistreat them? And you say it was their first time doing something bad- but they did it more than once! They didn't just go into a petstore and steal a puppy- they robbed many, many people! It wasn't just an "oopsie" spur of the moment thing- it was a crime spree. They did a bad thing and got away with it- so they did it again and again and again- and they didn't care who it hurt. They didn't care about the animals! They just cared about the money- otherwise, they would be at the pound, rescuing dogs that needed a home. They went after the high priced exotics- this was all just about making a buck, at the animals expense, and at their owners expense.
Let your cousins own up to their crimes. They need to grow up and learn that its not all about the almighty dollar- its about doing the right thing at least SOMETIMES in your life.

 

[Dennis Hultman]

to al of the readers out there just want to point out that Adam and Julie has never committed a crime in their lives *except for this one*

Burglaries and thefts.

1) Wilderness Trail Animal Park in Saginaw's Birch Run Township
2) Animal Magic Sanctuary
3) Stinger's Exotics
4) Discount Pet & Supplies
5) Petco
6) The person they stole the to toucans from in Florida

Just this one?

 

[Mooing Tricycle]

Burglaries and thefts.

1) Wilderness Trail Animal Park in Saginaw's Birch Run Township
2) Animal Magic Sanctuary
3) Stinger's Exotics
4) Discount Pet & Supplies
5) Petco
6) The person they stole the to toucans from in Florida

Just this one?

WIN!

 

[John E Dove]

I should know because Adam is my cousin and I grew up with him ever since I was 2. no offense but you people are horrible. How can you go around and say that these people are horrible people and that they don't care about the animals. YOU DON'T KNOW THEM.

honestly I would go and repay all the victims..If I had 75,000 I would go in a heart beat. But I am only 19.

Hopefully one day you will mature into an adult who will be able to realize the harm these people you are attempting to defend actually did.
I believe that if animals were looked upon with the same valuation as diamond they would not be out of jail for the next 50 years but sadly animal theft is down played and animals are looked upon as relatively valueless in the eyes of the law.
The good thing is that they are now out in the open where the people they harmed can attempt to get just restitution, if that is even possible.

 

[Dennis Hultman]

ok first off Adam isn't a "sawed off loser." he is an amazing young man who loved animals. He would never mean to kill an animal. It was a mistake...GEEZ no one is perfect. EVERYBODY MAKES a MISTAKE.

"EVERYBODY MAKES a MISTAKE."

Just a little more about that one mistake.

Adam Lock, 23, his wife Julie Marie Lock, 22 of Flint Township, and alleged accomplice Joshua Roberts, 24, of Mundy Township, were arrested Nov. 8 in raids in two homes in Genesee County.
More than 70 exotic animals were confiscated at the Flint Township home by several Michigan police agencies working on the case. The home contained birds and mammals and only had pine shavings on the floor for urine and feces and holes were punched in the walls to install make shift perches for Toucans and other exotic birds.
The home held cages in every room, including animals stolen from Animal Magic owner Mark Rosenthal.
The Mundy Township location contained reptiles including, frogs, tarantulas, scorpions, poisonous snakes, tortoises and even a stolen monitor lizard.
The arrests mark the end of a very long and traumatic experience for the Rosenthals.
After two break-ins and thefts of exotic animals from his Animal Magic sanctuary nine months ago, Rosenthal's only hope was that the animals be brought back alive.
The animals stolen could not survive in Michigan's climate, need very special, specific diets and some of them have been raised by Rosenthal since they were babies and know no other caregiver but him.
"I didn't know if they were alive or if they had even killed them," he said.
Though close to a year had passed since the first break in, Rosenthal did not give up trying to find the stolen animals.
On Halloween, Rosenthal continued his search and Googled "animal acts" and other pertinent key words on his computer.
Rosenthal was shocked and ecstatic with what he found.
"I saw Wookie, the kinkajou, on a Web site," he said.
"It was on the Those Animal Guys Web page."
He believes someone in the ring may have seen a hit on the Web Site come from Sumpter Twp. and pulled the photos within 20 minutes.
A photo of Adam Lock originally appeared on the page with Wookie but it was quickly replaced with one of Lock holding a snake instead.
"I called my USDA inspector and asked if they had a license for exotics," Rosenthal said. "They did not."
If it wasn't bad enough that the trio stole Rosenthal's animals, they were brazen enough to put photos of the stolen animals on the Web site or perform for Flint area school children with a menagerie of stolen, scared animals, they then claimed to have Rosenthal's Michigan State University degree, parts of his resume and his magic act. To add insult to injury, the performing group "Those Animals Guys" actually listed Rosenthal as a consultant.
Following up on clues and the bizarre public flaunting of the stolen animals on Nov. 6, police raided the homes.
Not only did the trio not have any real knowledge of handling dangerous, potentially fatal animals, police found "how-to" manuals for poisonous snakes and reptiles.
On Friday, Animal Magic held a fund-raiser and Rosenthal was happy to say he had recovered his wallaby, fennec fox and an albino frog but no trace was found of the pink-toed tarantula, rare walking sticks and a sugar glider.
Wookie the kinkajou was a surprise, guest star at the fund-raiser held at Belleville High School.
"When he saw me (last week), he came running up to me and licked my face," Rosenthal said.
The fennec fox, who was trapped in a cage with a male and a pregnant female fox, was a little worse for wear and tear, since he posed a territorial threat to the other foxes.
Rosenthal has assisted several police departments in rescuing exotic and dangerous animals from alligators to poisonous snakes.
He has never charged for that service and police and animal control officers will not handle wild, potentially deadly animals.

The animals are either shipped to zoos or Rosenthal, a licensed exotic handler, will keep them if he cannot find a legitimate zoo or professional keeper for them.
The story has spread past the local and national media level and has gone global.
"My wife, Diane, saw it on a news-page from India," he said.
"I am so happy these animals are going back to their rightful owners."

Tortoises STOLEN from Mich. wildlife park.
This is Jane from Mid Michigan Reptile Rescue. I'm contacting everyone that I can that is involved with the sales of reptiles in the state of Michigan. Sometime last night someone broke into the Wilderness Trails wildlife park in Birch Run and took 6 tortoises. Two of the tortoises, Leopard torts, belonged to us and were on loan to the park. The Sulcatas ranged from 12 pounds to 65 pounds and were all female. The Leopards were 10 inches and 20+ inches. I was hoping that you could keep your eyes open for tortoises for sale that may be these stolen ones. Also, if you could spread the word to other herp enthusiasts I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

Jane

Jane C. Billette
Mid Michigan Reptile Rescue
www.michiganreptilerescue.org
__________________________________

"Those Animal Guys" delivered them to someone in Florida who happens to breed Toucans, as a "thank you" "Those Animal Guys" stole some of his Toucans before returning to Mich. at which time I guess they posted pictures of their "booty" on their website??

Three suspects from Flint and Mundy townships have been charged in Wayne County with burglary and larceny in connection with the thefts of exotic animals from two Livonia pet stores this year.

Adam Lock, 23, and wife Julie M. Lock, 22, of Flint Township and Joshua Roberts, 24, of Mundy Township were charged Thursday with six criminal counts in two burglaries in which expensive birds and reptiles valued at thousands of dollars were taken.

* .Saginaw News: Stolen exotic animals found
* Saginaw News:Zoo hopeful of animal recovery
Ann Arbor News: Exotic animals disappear from Sumpter Twp. sanctuary
* Heritage Newspapers News account on stolen animals from Animal Magic sanctuary
* Learn more about Wilderness Trails Animal Park
* Learn more about Discount Pet & Supplies and Stinger Exotics

Prosecutors have not filed charges in the thefts from Wilderness Trails Zoo in Birch Run Township or the Animal Magic sanctuary near Belleville, in Wayne County, but according to police, the three have given statements admitting to all the thefts. Police on Tuesday recovered nearly 70 exotic animals, including foxes, various cats, amphibians, fish, toucans, a Brazilian parrot and an Australian wallaby in raids on two houses in Flint and Mundy townships.

Each of the three suspects is facing two counts of breaking and entering a building, two counts of larceny over $20,000, and two counts of larceny from a building.

Many of the animals have been returned to their owners.

Wilderness Trails manager Lynette Miller said a 10-month-old Bennett's wallaby did not survive long enough to be returned to the zoo.
Joshua David Roberts, 24
"It died, I would say, from stress," Miller said. "It had never been handled. It had just been with its mom."

Two fennec foxes and two leopard tortoises taken in a September robbery were returned.

"We didn't think we'd ever get them back -- any of them," Miller said. "We have been here for 16 years and never had anything like this happen. I've never heard of people stealing animals from a zoo."

Police also returned a fennec fox, wallaby and albino pacman frog to Mark Rosenthal, an exotic animal educator in Wayne County. The animals were stolen in February.
Rosenthal said he helped lead Livonia police to the suspects after seeing a picture of his kinkajou on someone else's shoulder on a Web site.

It took five days to track the animals, and then Rosenthal tagged along when police raided the Genesee County homes and recovered the animals.
Julie Marie Lock, 22
Rosenthal said he believes the suspects were trying to learn tricks to re-create his Animal Magic program.

"These guys tried to steal my identity," Rosenthal said. "They copied stuff from my Web site. They were telling people they work with me. They started marketing their shows as mine and going to schools and using my animals in the shows."

Rosenthal is still missing a pink-toed tarantula, a breeding colony of rare walking sticks and a sugar glider.

Livonia District Court Magistrate Dennis Epler set $50,000 cash or surety bonds for Adam Lock and Joshua Roberts, while Julie Lock was given a $10,000, 10 percent bond.
Adam Dean Lock, 23

Adam Lock and Joshua Roberts remained in the Wayne County Jail this morning.

The warrants issued at the request of Livonia police charge them with burglaries and thefts at Stinger's Exotics, a pet store specializing in lizards and amphibians, on July 13, and the theft of exotic birds from Discount Pet & Supplies on April 13.

The owners of those stores told Detroit newspapers earlier this week that only a small number of the animals taken in those break-ins have been recovered.

The Locks and Roberts face a preliminary examination on the Livonia charges in that city's district court on Nov. 20.

Journal staff writer Marjory Raymer contributed to this report. Information from Journal News Service also is included.

Zoo-keepers at Wilderness Trails Animal Park in Birch Run Township are wondering how many of the exotic critters recovered Tuesday in a Genesee County raid belong to their facility.

Police juggled handfuls of stolen wild cats, parrots, piranha and dozens of other pets from two houses in Flint and Mundy townships.

Livonia authorities followed leads from a robbery in their city to the homes in Genesee County, where local police assisted in coordinated raids that began midmorning.

The Flint Township rental house was filled with cages.

A wildlife expert from Livonia -- one of the break-in victims -- helped police sort and identify the species.

On two occasions in September, thieves hit Wilderness Trails nabbing two types of tortoises, two fennec foxes and a wallaby, which resembles a small kangaroo. The animals are worth nearly $6,000.

Michigan State Police investigators reported someone used bolt cutters to clip a chain locking the fence on the south side of the zoo to get at the foxes and used a net from the pole barn at Wilderness Trails' to fish out the foxes.

The wallaby's cage was not locked, police said.

To make off with the tortoises, authorities said someone climbed a fence near the front of the animal center, used a tractor on the grounds to transport the 50-pound reptiles and then squeezed the land turtles under a fence.

The business does not have insurance on the animals.

"The police don't want us to say too much because they are still investigating, but some of the animals recovered are definitely ours," said Lynette Miller, who oversees the zoo at 11721 Gera.

"We do feel relieved that someone has been caught. We don't know if they planned to sell them or what."

A Flint Township man and wife and a Mundy Township man, all believed in their mid-20s, were arrested.

Other exotic animals recovered include a Brazilian parrot and other exotic birds, a fish tank of piranhas and several wild cat breeds.

The Mundy Township house, meanwhile, revealed a horde of reptiles that required special handling. The list of critters there included snakes, lizards, scorpions and tarantulas.

"We were there a good four or five hours, but we weren't playing with them. We weren't cuddling up with no snakes," joked Mundy Township police Detective Michael Neering.

Police worked until about 7 p.m. processing the animals and removing them from the two houses. Some of the animals are already in the hands of their owners because of their special needs.

In all, police removed at least 20 birds, a dozen mammals and several fish.

The Flint Journal contributed to this report.

Exotic animals disappear from Sumpter Twp. sanctuary
Posted by Staff Reporter Susan Oppat August 31, 2007 16:55PM
Categories: Breaking News

Two more exotic animals were stolen from a licensed Sumpter Township sanctuary last week, leaving owner Mark Rosenthal disheartened and afraid he'll have to close.


"This has taken such a toll on us," said Rosenthal, who is licensed to rescue, rehabilitate, keep and display exotic animals.

The latest theft resulted in the loss of Wookie, a kinkajou, and Ben, a fennec fox. In February, his two-toed sloth, Seven, and two other animals were stolen.

Rosenthal said he believes the same person or people committed both thefts.

The animals are not pets, but Rosenthal, his wife and 15-year-old daughter, Jessica, are attached to them, he said. The sanctuary includes several hundred animals used in shows at schools and carnivals.

Rosenthal said it's the emotional connection that could force him to close if new steel bars on the windows and a new security system don't keep thieves out.

The steel bars were installed free of charge last weekend by a company that heard about the latest thefts. The company also plans to reinforce the doors, Rosenthal said.

Rosenthal installed a security system after the February theft, but said power outages several weeks ago ruined the system. It has since been replaced.

Rosenthal said he is hoping someone will donate security cameras that could capture images of the thieves if they return.

He said Seven the sloth convinced him the same individuals were behind both break-ins.

When Seven disappeared, she was the largest of her species in North America at 43 pounds. She was returned in her own crate seven weeks later, weighing just 21 pounds and near death from pneumonia, said Rosenthal, who believes she was abused.

Rosenthal said Seven, who has gained 11 pounds, flinched when anyone came near after she returned. She had since been running to Rosenthal, his wife or daughter - but her behavior changed the morning after the second theft. Rosenthal said she hissed at him and showed her teeth.

"She was acting the way she did when she came back. I think she recognized them," Rosenthal said.

Rosenthal is offering a reward for the safe return of both animals. Anyone with information is asked to call Sumpter Township Police at 734-461-4833 or contact Rosenthal through his Web site at www.iwantanimalmagic.com.

BIRDS STOLEN!
2 Pair of Toco Toucans and 1 pair of Kell Bill Toucans ( aka Sulphur Breasted) were stolen from a breeding facility in Ocala, Florida between 10:00 - 10:30pm Monday night.
They were stolen from Helen Wilson,
Ocala, Florida
This is her description of them:
We live in Northern Central Fl., to be exact, Ocala . They were taken from our bird breeding area between 10:00pm and 10:30pm Monday night.
The one pair of Toco's has open leg bands and the male to that pair, has a marked up beak from hollowing out the coconut log. This pair will fly to you and are very, very tame. The other pair of Toco's are not friendly and do not like eye to eye contact. The keels are also very friendly. Please contact everybody you know. Thank you, The Wilson's
Please let anyone you know about this theft. Together we can find them and get them back!

Christine Ferretti / The Detroit News
LIVONIA -- A self-proclaimed animal-loving duo boasting a traveling animal education show were arrested this week, accused of stealing nearly 70 animals and keeping them in their homes.
Exotic creatures ranging from wallabies to tarantulas, alligators and a hedge hog have been reunited with their owners after being recovered from the Flint area on Tuesday.
Livonia police got a tip last week from a local victim who led them to 69 exotic pets caged in a Mundy Township apartment, south of Flint and another residence in Flint Township.

Some of the exotics were returned to shops in Livonia, an animal sanctuary near Belleville and a zoo in Birch Run, Livonia Police Lt. Greg Winn said.
"The houses had been virtually turned into a small zoo. The cages were built into the rooms with fencing," Winn said.
Mark Rosenthal, who operates Animal Magic sanctuary in the Belleville area, stumbled upon and began tracking the pair last week when he noticed one of his animals pictured on their Web site, www.thoseanimalguys.com. He then notified police.
Rosenthal said several of his animals were taken earlier this year.
Rosenthal said his wife has located the owner of five rare toucans in Florida that were recovered from one of the homes. Each bird is worth $30,000 to $50,000 and will be returned today by airplane, he said."We're so glad we could help these people out and give them back their animals," he said.Rosenthal's fennec fox, his beloved kinkajou "Wookie" and a couple of other priceless pets were returned by police.
Police said the alleged thieves, expected to be arraigned this afternoon, took the animals to exotic shows and schools for children's programs, while others were sold online.
Rosenthal said the two "jokers" converted an old ambulance into a traveling van for their shows, with blown-up photos on each side, including one shot of "Wookie."
Stinger Exotics on Plymouth Road in Livonia was reunited with some stolen reptiles. In July, thieves had taken about $50,000 worth of exotics from the shop.
Owner Hazel Kelley was ecstatic Tuesday when she got the call that some of her reptiles had been found, including Rupert, a savannah monitor lizard and the store mascot.
"He's a little beat up and lethargic and thin, but he's doing well," said Kelley, who moved her store to Livonia from Westland about a year ago.
Kelley said about $1,500 worth of the stolen reptiles have been recovered.
"They literally wiped out our entire store. We took a big hit, but thankfully we got these few back," she said, noting the return of a few frogs and tortoises.
Discount Pet & Supplies on Middle Belt said nearly 10 hand-raised birds were stolen from their shop in April. Only a couple of birds were returned.
"They weren't just our pets, they are our little family," said store manager Denise Billings. "It was gut-wrenching to us."
Dozens of cages and supplies also were taken from the store.
Police said they were apprehensive of going public with the burglaries sooner out of fear the animals would be killed.
If convicted, the suspects could face 10 years for each felony offense of breaking and entering a business. Additional charges for unrelated crimes including stolen property not related to animals are expected to come from Genesee County officials, Winn said.

The pair's notoriety helped Flint Township police identify them in the Petco burglary after workers recognized the pair on surveillance video taken shortly before the store closed for the night.

Roberts was allegedly seen walking into the store wearing black clothing that matched that of a man wearing a ski mask who set off a motion detector after the store closed.

Township police believe Roberts and Adam Lock needed flea and tick medicine for all of the stolen animals.

"They took the whole display," said Flint police Sgt. Gene DuBuc.

Roberts has pleaded guilty in the Flint Township case and is scheduled to be sentenced March 11. Adam Lock has not been arraigned yet because he has been jail.

A trial date for Roberts in the Livonia case is set for March 18 while a Wednesday hearing in that case is set for the Locks in Wayne County.

He "loves" animals?

She was returned in her own crate seven weeks later, weighing just 21 pounds and near death from pneumonia

In July of 2007 a Livonia Michigan pet store that specializes in reptiles, Stingers Exotics, was burglarized in the night and had $55,000 of animals stolen. A pet that was being kept for a serviceman while he did a tour of duty in Iraq was part of the haul. Yesterday it was on the local TV news that the thieves were caught. I just went in to the store to talk to the mother and daughter that own the store. The mother told me that the crooks were two men from Flint Michigan selling animals on line as www.thoseanimalguys.com . only $1500 of Stingers exotics animals were recovered.The rest had been sold online. These two thieves had possesion of stolen animals that came from everywhere between Michigan and Florida. If you have information that will give these guys a longer stay in the bighouse or if you think that you might be a victim of these guys contact the Livonia Michigan Police Department,

 

[MiIguanaLvr]

Just FYI. The sulcotta torts that were stolen from Wilderness Trails Park, then finally recovered after the bust, passed away. The reptile vet who did the necropsy said the stomachs were full of stones and pebbles. No one is sure why but they had apparently been eating them.
This MISTAKE was deadly. I wonder how many other of the recovered animals didnt survive.
Whatever these people got for punishment, it was not enough in my opinion.

 

[shrap]

Personally, I am all for bringing back public stonings. I think these three would be perfect candidates.

 

[Junkyard]

Kayla, you came here to show support for your cousin and now all these people you do not know are jumping on your case. You are just wanting them to see you cousin in the same light that you do. Sucks doesn't it?

Do me a favor and read through the BOI on this website. You will see that this hobby is full of liars, scammers, and thieves. Probably more than most hobbies out there, certainly more than any of my other hobbies. People get involved because they love reptiles, this is a passion. Some see a money making opportunity that works for them, then some end up loosing more then they invested. If one is not careful, they will be ripped off.

You may be upset with the response you have received and you are entitled to feel that way. Let me state, being naive does not give you a pass. You need to look at the crime spree your cousin ran. Does he feel guilty because he caused so much pain, is he guilty because he was caught? Perhaps he does not feel and guilt or wrong doing.

Blood may be thicker than water, but it does not physically connect one person to another. Do not feel obligated to stand up for your family if they are committing crimes, just because they are family. You will do more for yourself by standing up for those you do not know that your cousin ripped off.

You may be young, but you do not need to be stupid. Choose your battles wisely, it will direct your course in life.

 

[Junkyard]

Should be:

"to see your cousin"

"does not feel any guilt"

 

[snakemom1961]

Wonderful post Junkyard. I hope she is able to see beyond the blood relationship and realize her cousin is a Bad Apple! I don't know if she is or will want to be into any exotic animals in the future and try to sell them, but her name will forever be connected to her cousin via this thread. It's a shame someone so young and family-oriented is willing to blinder herself to what the facts are in this case.
My hope for her is she will take the blinders off and see what damage her cousin and his cohorts really did, and agree that whatever punishment they get was well deserved.

 

[GinoInDaBronx]

More Recent...

Does anyone have any more-recent updates on what has happened to these 3 thieves? Are the 'men' still in the can? Have any animal-abuse charges been laid?

G. Beniquez

 

[jiffypop]

Just wanted to post a little correction. It was Leopard tortoises that died after being returned from a breeder in Arizona that had purchased them as a pair when, indeed, they were both males. These animals actually belonged to Mid Michigan Reptile Rescue and were on loan to Wilderness Trails Wildlife Park. These torts came to us as owner surrender animals. We try to provide the best care and environment for the animals that are entrusted to our care by their previous owners. I still feel sick that I was unable to protect those tortoises and keep them from harm. The Wildlife Park was a great place for them and I never expected that they wouldn't be safe there. I currently have other animals on loan to the park but they are all now microchipped as a precaution. Some of the animals are my own personal reptiles, not rescues.

I sincerely hope that these thieves are prosecuted in each state where they commited their crimes and are ordered never to be in possession of animals for the rest of their lives. They are not animals lovers, they did what they did out of greed.

What really burns me is that we had the names of these crooks 2 days after the thefts in Birch Run. The police just didn't care since it was animals that were stolen, not valuable property.

Jane Billette
Mid Michigan Reptile Rescue

 

[klocke09]

updates: Julie: out on bail and restatution....she's all done
Adam: he is serving his time in the Genesee county jail and he needs a certain amount of money or he will not be trialed until November of 08 and I am not sure about the other man. I think he is out on bail and restatution.. the only one serving time is Adam