Perryville police investigate pet store burglary

Editor's note: The following story has been edited to corrected to note this was a burglary.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Perryville Police Department is investigating an unusual case after a local pet store was burglarized.

A variety of animals and cash were stolen from Jungle Gems Pets in Perryville between the time the store closed Aug. 10 and opened Aug. 13, according to Perryville interim police chief Direk Hunt.

Among the stolen animals was an Alexandrian parrot, an American alligator, a Dumeril's boa, a Tokay gecko, a fat-tailed gecko and three baby bearded dragons. The parrot was the most expensive animal, with a price tag of about $400, according to Hunt. The total price of the stolen animals was more than $1,000.

He also said an undisclosed amount of cash was taken from the register and property damage was reported. Hunt said police are trying to figure out why the animals were taken.

"I don't know what their motive was," he said. "Most of the time, these people sell these kinds of animals. So I'm not sure if they just didn't find what they were hoping to and decided to take these animals to sell them."

The police also are investigating the number of people that were involved in the theft. Hunt said police think they have a lead, but are not prepared to make any announcements.

Throughout his time with the Perryville Police Department, Hunt said he's never heard of a case concerning stolen pets.

"We've had pet stores broken into in the past in Perryville, but never had any animals taken."

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

8 N. French Lane, Perryville, Mo