1 Of 3 Suspects Identified In Theft Of Exotic Birds From Long Beach Home
LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Detectives Friday identified a 42-year-old man who is suspected of stealing exotic birds from a home in Long Beach.
According to the Long Beach Police Department, Jose Jesus Zermeno entered the backyard of a home located in the 6700 block of Harbor Avenue on May 4, and stole five exotic birds -- two Crimson Rosellas, two Golden Mantle Rosellas, and one African Grey Parrot -- from separate cages.
Video surveillance captured him climbing over the fence into the backyard, opening birdcages, removing the birds, and handing them over the fence to a second suspect, police said.
A third suspect was captured driving a red Ford Ranger truck to commit the crime.
Around 5 a.m. on Thursday, an officer spotted the truck in the area of Wardlow Road and Atlantic Avenue, and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle.
Officers said the driver of the vehicle failed to stop, and led the officer on a short vehicle pursuit.
According to police, the officer lost sight of the truck, which was later found abandoned in the 2200 block of Cedar Avenue.
Detectives described Zermeno as a Hispanic man who has a medium build, and stands about 5-foot-3 tall.
The second suspect was described as a Hispanic man who is between the ages of 25 to 30-years-old, stands no taller than 6-feet-tall, and weighs no more than 200 pounds.
A description of the third suspect remains unknown at this time.
Anyone with information regarding Zermeno's whereabouts is urged to contact the Long Beach Police Burglary Detail at (562) 570-7351.