Little Rock Police Find Live Alligator In Burglars' Car

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Little Rock police have arrested three men and accused them of stealing a live alligator from a downtown nature center.

The three were charged early Thursday with commercial burglary, theft of property and criminal mischief. One also faces a charge of fleeing.

Police say that, after the burglary at the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center, officers found the three-foot alligator beneath a seat in the men's car. Still missing Thursday afternoon was a replica of a western diamondback rattlesnake. A shotgun taken in the burglary was also recovered.

The center's exhibit hall was closed Thursday so crews can repair a number of educational exhibits damaged after the break-in.

The nature center is in the city's River Market District, close to the Bill Clinton presidential library.