Venice, Fl.(Florida News Network)- The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 46-year-old man Thursday morning after he stole a parrot from a Venice pet store. According to the sheriff's office, patrol deputies were called to the Pet Supermarket at 4148 S. Tamiami Trail on October 14 around 2:00 p.m., for the report of a stolen turquoise green-cheeked conure named “Lapis.”
According to a store employee, the suspect grabbed a bag of birdseed before reaching into a large cage and removing one of several small parrots. When the employee tried to intervene, the suspect put the bird in his pocket and left in a vehicle parked right outside the door. Detectives reviewed the attached surveillance video which helped identify 44 year old Richard Rivers, as the suspect. Deputies met with Rivers at his home, in Venice Thursday morning where they recovered the stolen bird unharmed.
Rivers is charged with a single count of Petit Theft. He has several prior charges including Battery, Grand Theft and Drug Possession. Rivers remains in custody at the Sarasota County Correctional Facility on $500 bond.
Photo and video credit: Sarasota County Sheriff's Office