Stolen Ball Python Collection: REWARD

[Tim_Cranwill]

Jeff Houston’s high end Ball Python collection was stolen from his house this past week. A terrible story that I hope has a happy ending.

Here's a link to the page The Snake Keepers have put up to collect pledges for a reward...

http://ballpython.com/page.php?topic=reward

And a few more bits of information....
http://forums.**kingsnake**.com/view...=333841,333841

http://forums.**kingsnake**.com/view...=334422,334422

http://forums.**kingsnake**.com/view...=334740,334740

*****Take out the **'s before and after the word "kingsnake".*****

[SerpentLust]

Oh wow, to be honest, I thought you were joking! Like the link would show that you took his kick a$$ snakes! Wow, I'm completely speechless...

[marisa]

Just sick.

Stealing or being a theif is the lowest, dirtiest, most dishonest and bum like form of crime a person can commit. Such a shame. I hope this guy is found and hopefully (as bad as this sounds) they were higher end snakes instead of hets so they can be more easily identified.

Marisa

[Tim_Cranwill]

He had Pieds, Mojaves and a bunch of other valuable snakes.

A real shame...

[marisa]

Well hopefully he has photos as you'd think the pieds especially can be somewhat easily ID'd....

But I hope even more that someone finds this guy and makes sure he is not only punished, but never again can do any form of business in the hobby.

Marisa

[Big_V]

Thats absolutely terrible. Hopefully they will turn up and the person will get thrown in jail. Its a terrible circumstance and lets hope all the animals turn up.

[Oliverian]

I donated $15. Hey, I know it's not much, but i'm still a student with not a lot of cash right now. It's definitely worth it if they can catch the loser who did this. I hope you all consider donating as well. It's one of our fellow herpers, we need to at least try!

Come on, I know you can afford it. Even if it's only $5, every little bit will help. Go on!

-TammyR

[Cruciform]

For those looking for some cheap security, pick up a couple of logitech webcams.

Set up a server in an isolated and locked down part of the house (or even better, have a friend store your video repository at his house, and set up a secure tunnel via SSH).

Have the machine with the webcam hooked up to it back up all video files to the remote server.

If you get intruders, you may not be able to stop them but the chances of recovery are greater. Not a lot of B&E jackasses wear disguises.

(also if you set up remote desktop software you can check on your house and herp room from remote locations)

---
Something to recommend against:

Wireless camera systems. If you have a wireless nanny cam or are considering purchasing one, make sure that it uses an encrypted signal. Those X10 cameras you see advertised in pop-ups broadcast in the 2.4 GHz range, and can easily be monitored from the street with an equipped laptop. Makes it great for thieves who want to make sure there's nobody in the house.

Don't put labels on the windows that say you have a camera system. Only refer to an alarm system. No need to tip off thieves to wear masks.



If anyone is thinking about setting up some inexpensive DIY home security and needs advice or tips to find software just ask


--edited for typo--

[Auskan]

Originally posted by Cruciform
If you get intruders, you may not be able to stop them but the chances of recovery are greater. Not a lot of B&E jackasses wear disguises.

Seems to me that in order to know that such a collection exists, it is probably someone who is known to the owner of the collection. Therefore, the pics will lead directly to recovery. It seems unlikely that a regular burglar looking for re-saleable items (like jewellery/electronic equipment), would knock off a collection of valuable reptiles (might not even recognize their value). But I could be wrong...

[Cruciform]

I wouldn't be surprised if there are thieves who scan the forums here and at Fauna regularly looking for marks. Someone with a sizeable, quality collection run out of a residential address. With pictures of rack layouts, breeders, and mapquest, a person could do some serious damage.

[Siretsap]

Well anyhow, who ever stole the reptiles knew what he wanted. And from what I am guessing, those snakes won't be sold to anyone, it is a circle of thieves who must of planned it. Chances are we will never see the snakes again but will have a lot of people selling some hets and even some babies in the coming years.... Might help if we all ask to see pics of the parents before we buy any hets or anything.

[chas*e]

Wow, that is so sad.....I worry about someone doing the same to me...I would just freak.....sorry to hear about this.

[emroul]

People like that don't make any sense to me. I wonder what this thief plans on doing with this collection of high dollar animals. He can't POSSIBLY think he is going to be able to sell them and get "fast money". Hmm, the only people that would be interested in a high dollar animal like that is to post them for sale on KS or fauna or here, then all Jeff Houston has to do is see the ad's and say "Wow, that looks alot like the Piebald that got STOLEN from me". Or, if he plans on breeding them to sell the unidentifyable babies, I hope he knows what he's doing. Breeding and getting successful clutches are harder than people (especially like that) portray it to be.

People like that are just a worthless part of this world. It's a real shame.

He'll get caught, I just know it. It's hard, but not impossible, to track animals like that down. I wonder if the animals were microchipped?

Jennifer

[elevation24]

Wow. What a horrible thing to come home to I really hope they find the culprits. I've pledged what I can afford and when my dad gets home tomorrow I will ask him to make a pledge as well, in addition to asking a few friends.

[V.hb]

thats really a shame.. thankfully i have the ultimate security guard, a 130lb rottweiller.