S.B. resident charged with
python theft
SOUTH BRUNSWICK — Police have charged a local man with stealing an African Burmese albino snake from a Route 1 pet store.
According to police, Rickie Joe Rakes, 25, of South Brunswick allegedly walked into the Pets, Pets, Pets store on Route 1 at about 5:03 p.m. Dec. 26.
According to police, Rakes wrapped the snake, a 12-14-inch baby python valued at $200, around his arm and proceeded to leave the store.
The store owner, Howard Satnick called police within minutes of the incident, and Rakes was stopped on Route 1 several minutes later.
Police said that Satnick was able to identify Rakes.
Rakes was charged with the theft, but police have not yet recovered the snake, and believe it did not survive the cold.
As of Thursday, the snake remained missing.
"If he dropped it, like the police said, he (the snake) had about an hour," Satnick said Thursday, adding that he and his partner Ileen Yelo were "heartbroken" over the incident.
"We care about the animals; we feed and care for them," Satnick said.
Rakes was lodged in the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center, North Brunswick, in default of $2,500 bail.
Police are still investigating the incident.