Exotic Animals Stolen From Long Island Pet Store

MASTIC (AP / WCBS 880) - Police in New York are investigating a pet store robbery in which several exotic animals were stolen.

WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reports

Police say the owner of The Animal Hut in Mastic, Long Island reported that someone broke into the store and stole a 3-foot-long American alligator, three albino boa constrictors, and a 5-foot-long Argentine red tegu, a type of lizard.

Owner Alex Fabiano tells WCBS 880 reporter Sophia Hall he is very upset and concerned that the animals are not being housed properly.

"They could be freezing right now," Fabiano said. 

The animals do have a cash value. "The tegu is worth some money, in the market [of] five, six hundred bucks. You know, the alligator - the same thing. The boas... you can get $250 a piece for them," says Fabiano.

Police say the robbery happened sometime between 7 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Monday.

Fabiano says he isn't interested in prosecuting anyone. He just wants his animals back.

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