ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (Santa Ana, California) 26 June 08 Venomous snakes, assault weapons netted in undercover operation (Kimberly Edds)

Fountain Valley: An undercover police operation has led to the arrest of a former pet store employee on suspicion of stealing three uniquely bred snakes valued at thousands of dollars from his former employer. Along with the stolen snakes, authorities discovered 37 other reptiles – many of them venomous and illegal, and a cache of banned assault weapons and ammunition.

The three unique snakes were stolen from Pre-Historic Pets at 18822 Brookhurst St. in Fountain Valley last fall, but the theft was not reported to police until last week, said Lt. Jim McNeff of the Fountain Valley Police Department.

The priciest snake taken from the shop was a tiger titanium reticulated python worth $12,000. The other two pilfered reptiles are tiger het titanium pythons valued at $2,000 each.

Mauricio Mayer, who worked at Pre-Historic Pets when the snakes disappeared sometime during September or October 2007, was arrested Wednesday after he negotiated with an undercover Fountain Valley police officer to sell the three specially bred snakes, McNeff said.

Mayer, 32, of Cypress was booked at the Orange County Jail on suspicion of possession of stolen property and manufacturing and possession of assault weapons. His bail was set at $20,000.

Mayer was questioned by the owner of Pre-Historic Pets after the snakes mysteriously disappeared, but he denied being involved or knowing anything about the thefts. He quit a short time later.

Several people interviewed by police said Mayer had been trying to sell the snakes, and police set up a sting. After arranging the deal, authorities searched Mayer's home found dozens of exotic reptiles, including the three pricey snakes.

According to the Orange County Animal Control, other animals found inside Mayer's home were a gila monster, two false water cobras, two neotropical rattlesnakes, three beaded lizards, two suphan cobras, two albino monocle cobras, a monocle cobra, a sidewinder rattlesnake, 11 piranha, a copperhead snake, two carpet pythons, an albino redtail boa constrictor, two redtail boa constrictors, five ball pythons and two monitor lizards.

Inside Mayer's home police also found three unregistered AR-15 assault rifles along with magazines and ammunition. Police are trying to figure out how Mayer acquired the illegal weapons. Under California law, the AR-15s are required to have been registered with the state Department of Justice on or before Jan. 23, 2001.

It is illegal to possess venomous animals without a permit, according to authorities with Orange County Animal Control.

Officials with the Department of Fish and Game have taken possession of confiscated reptiles and are conducting an independent investigation related to the venomous animals, McNeff said.
Venomous snakes, assault weapons netted in undercover operation

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