Trail of Stolen Fullerton Reptiles Ends in Anaheim

A dozen stolen exotic reptiles were recovered in an Anaheim motel Friday after their owner tracked them down by calling a string of local pet stores, police said.

Larry Davis, 36, was moving out of his Fullerton home in the 700 block of West Gage Avenue when he let an acquaintance from Garden Grove, Sandoval Gabino, 21, stay with him Thursday night.

When Davis came home the next morning, Gabino was gone, and so were Davis’ four Colombian red-tail snakes, eight bearded dragon reptiles and some household appliances, Lt. Mike Steadman said.

“The guy was packed up and ready to move to Riverside and came home to find his stuff gone,” Steadman said.

Davis reported the burglary to police, who advised him to call local pet stores to see if anyone had been trying to sell exotic reptiles. One store owner told Davis he had been called, Steadman said.

“He was really lucky he found that store owner,” Steadman said.

Several undercover police officers later arranged to meet with Sandoval at the Akua Motel in the 1000 block of East Orangethorpe Avenue to buy the reptiles. In the motel room, police found the reptiles, worth about $3,950, and arrested Sandoval and a 15-year-old girl who was with him, police said.

Both were booked at Fullerton City Jail on suspicion of possession of stolen property, police said.