Long Beach police search for exotic-parrot thieves

From an alley, the thief climbed over a fence in Long Beach to make off with his target: five exotic parrots in a home.

The man, whose movements were captured on video surveillance, then handed the birds to another man, who waited in the alley. The two then got into a red Ford Ranger truck with a driver for a quick getaway.

On Friday, Long Beach police identified one of three suspects as Jose Jesus Zermeno. They said the 42-year-old is suspected of climbing over the fence in the 6700 block of Harbor Avenue on May 4 and removing the birds from their cages.

Police investigators said the video allegedly shows Zermeno opening the cages and grabbing the birds, which include an African Grey parrot and Crimson Rosellas.

The value of the five birds was $800, according to police.

Investigators say a police officer on Thursday located the red truck in the area of Wardlow Road and Atlantic Avenue. The driver of the truck led police on a short chase when the officer tried to pull over the vehicle. Police said the truck was later found abandoned in the 2200 block of Cedar Avenue, where it was impounded.

Police are asking for the public’s help in locating Zermeno and the two other suspects.

Anyone with information about the three men is asked to contact Long Beach Police at (562) 570-7351 or (800) 222-8477.

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