Westside : STOLEN BIRDS

A Santa Monica woman living in a battered-women’s shelter has become the victim of a crime: someone stole two pet birds from her car.

The woman--who asked to be identified only as Dorothy--hopes someone will come forward with information about her cockatiels, which were stolen last Saturday. Since then, she has posted flyers and gone door-to-door in the neighborhood.

“They were the only family I had,” Dorothy said. “It was just me and my birds, trying to start a new life.”

Dorothy fled her home north of San Francisco four weeks ago, fearing a man she said was stalking her. She brought her most valuable possessions with her, a pair of baby cockatiels named Spock and Kirk, and moved into the shelter in Santa Monica.

She said she had left the 4-month-old birds in her car parked on Lincoln Boulevard near Pacific Street. The car window was partially open to give the birds fresh air, and the thief apparently reached in, unlocked the door and took the cage holding the birds.

Anyone with information about the birds should call (310) 581-9941.