Suspects arrested for stealing shark from a Texas aquarium
Police give an update on the alleged shark napping at the San Antonio Aquarium.
Two men have admitted to stealing a shark from a Texas aquarium over the weekend and using a baby stroller to smuggle the animal out of the building, officials revealed in an update on the bizarre case.
Leon Valley Police Chief Joe Salvaggio told reporters Monday night that the men confessed to taking the 1.5-foot-long horn shark from the San Antonio Aquarium after officers showed up at one of their homes with a search warrant.
The female shark, known as Helen, was brought back to the aquarium Monday evening and received a hero's welcome from employees. Salvaggio said the animal was in "very good condition."
According to investigators, the men and a woman removed the shark Saturday afternoon from an open tank where visitors can pet the sea life. In a statement, the aquarium said the trio "staked out the pool for more than an hour" before taking the animal.
Salvaggio did not identify the suspects Monday night, but said one of them was a 38-year-old white man who lived in San Antonio.
Investigators said one of the men grabbed the shark by the tail while the other two people involved wrapped it in a wet blanket. The men then put the shark into a bucket and put the bucket into the bottom part of a baby stroller.
The group then put the unusual cargo into a maroon truck.
The aquarium said that in the process of putting the shark in the bucket, the group dumped a bleach solution used to disinfect tools into the cold water exhibit filtration system. It said the solution caused "harm to other wildlife" and added, "If it weren't for the fast acting experienced staff, the bleach would have done more damage."
Aquarium General Manager Jenny Spellman told KABB one of her employees spotted the suspicious group and alerted management. Spellman confronted the group in the parking lot, but one of the men denied her request to search the truck.
Salvaggio said Monday that the mastermind of the theft kept several "marine animals" in his home in what he described as "almost a mock-up" of the aquarium.
"He very much knew what he was doing and kept that animal alive and was able to continue to see that animal thrive, which is pretty shocking to all of us," he said, adding that investigators believe he took the shark to replace one that had recently died.
Salvaggio said the men would face theft and other charges, and added that the department was investigating whether federal charges were warranted. A decision was expected Tuesday on whether the woman would face charges.
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