Fountain Valley Police Department Press Releases
| TO PRESS: | FROM: Lt. Jim McNeff (714) 593-4455 Jun 27 2008 |
Suspect Arrested Following Rare Snake Theft | |
   The business owner of Pre-Historic Pets located at 18822 Brookhurst St. in Fountain Valley reported the theft of three snakes. All three snakes were uniquely bred to form a new type of snake. The most valuable snake was called a Tiger Titanium Reticulated Python and was valued at $12,000. The other two are called Tiger Het Titanium Pythons and are valued at $2,000 each. The theft of the snakes occurred sometime during September – October of 2007 but not reported to FVPD until the past week. Mauricio Mayer was an employee at Pre-Historic Pets at the time of the theft. At that time he was questioned by the business owner, but he denied knowledge or involvement in the theft. A short time later he resigned his position at the business. Through a series of witness interviews, we learned that Mauricio Mayer was trying to sell the snakes. Therefore, using an undercover police officer, FVPD negotiated with Mayer for the purchase of the snakes. On June 25, 2008 Mayer was arrested after the undercover officer met with Mayer and verified he possessed the stolen snakes. Mauricio Mayer is a 32 year old resident of the City of Cypress. A search of Mayer’s residence led to the discovery of three AR 15 assault rifles along with magazines and ammunition for the weapons. Our investigation revealed the weapons were unregistered and we are trying to determine how they came into his possession. Our search also revealed several more snakes and reptiles, many of which are illegal to possess since they are venomous. The list of snakes and reptiles that were identified by the Orange County Animal Control are as follows: Gila Monster (1) False Water Cobras (2) Neotropical Rattlesnakes (2) Beaded Lizards (3) Sufan Cobras (2) Albino Monical Cobras (2) Monical Cobra (1) Sidewinder Rattlesnake (1) Piranhas (11) Copperhead (1) Carpet Pythons (2) Albino Redtail Boa (1) Redtail Boas (2) Ball Pythons (5) Monitor Lizards (2) Orange County Animal Control authorities verified that it is a violation to possess venomous animals without a permit. They contacted the Department of Fish and Game who have taken possession of the listed snakes/reptiles and will conduct follow-up investigation related to the venomous snakes/reptiles located at Mayer’s residence. We booked Mayer at the Orange County Jail for 496 PC – Possession of Stolen Property as well as 12280(a)(1) & (b) PC – Manufacturing and Possession of Assault Weapons. His bail was set at $20,000 | |
| Lt. Jim McNeff Detective Bureau Commander (714) 593-4455 FVPD CASE: 08-3285 | |
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