HONOLULU ADVERTISER (Hawaii) 19 July 06 Snake slithers into investigation (Rod Ohira) {Excerpt}

While searching for two boys for questioning in connection with an attempted-murder and auto-theft investigation yesterday, police unexpectedly found something they weren't looking for — a snake.

Crime Reduction Unit officers from the Kalihi and Pearl City patrol districts working with auto-theft investigators ended up arresting two 16-year-olds in Salt Lake and Halawa and confiscated a 41-inch ball python from an Aliamanu residence on Keaka Drive.

Police spotted the snake in an aquarium-type tank when they stopped at the Keaka Drive home after receiving information that the suspects might be there. The snake was taken to the Pearl City police station and later turned over to state Department of Agriculture officials for investigation and possible prosecution of its owner.

Non-venomous ball pythons, native to central and western Africa, can grow up to six feet and are popular house pets in some states. Importing or keeping snakes is illegal in Hawai'i, and the class C felony is punishable by fines of between $50,000 to $200,000 and/or a maximum prison sentence of three years, said Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Janelle Saneishi.

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Snake slithers into investigation

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