Police probe thefts from Petco

SPRINGFIELD - Springfield police are probing the theft of two pythons and four ferrets from the Petco pet supply store on Boston Road.

Police Sgt. John M. Delaney said the manager of the 1684 Boston Road store, upon opening Wednesday, discovered that an aquarium had been broken, and two python snakes were missing. She also discovered a ferret cage had been pried open, and four ferrets were gone.

Delaney said the manager remembered that four teenagers had been in the store at closing time the night before. Police are reviewing the store's surveillance camera tape.

A store employee said the missing pythons are 1 to 2 feet long, but declined further comment. Those with information are asked to call the detective bureau at (413) 787-6355. Another pet store, Dave's Soda & Pet City at 1330 Carew St., experienced animal theft in May when a man smashed a window after closing time, ran inside and stole 50 parakeets. The bird theft remains unsolved, Delaney said.