HERALD AND NEWS (Klamath Falls, Oregon) 03 March 04 Lizard lifting suspect caught (Brook Reinhard)

A Klamath Falls man has been charged in the theft of bearded dragons and geckos from a local pet store.

Klamath County sheriff's deputies Paul Johnson and Monty Holloway tracked him down after he sold a dragon to someone who read a Herald and News story about the theft.

"It was a nice bit of police work," Klamath County Sheriff Tim Evinger said.

Authorities said William "JR" Chubb, 28, 1928 Ivory St., sold one of the stolen dragons to a local resident, who then went into Tropical Imports at Summers Lane and South Sixth Street on Sunday to buy food and supplies.

One of the store employees was suspicious that someone was buying food for a bearded dragon, and took down the person's license plate number.

Later that day, the customer read the article about the lizard theft and returned to Tropical Imports.

"They came back to the store, and said 'Hey, this might very possibly be stolen,' " Evinger said. "I received a call from one of the employees, assigned two detectives to it, and by Monday afternoon they had resolution."

The sheriff said detectives recovered about $1,000 in equipment and lizards, including several geckos and five of the 10 bearded dragons.

Chubb faces burglary, theft and criminal mischief charges. Officers said they have a second suspect they believe worked with Chubb.

Store owner Kevin Conway said he's relieved to have some of the dragons back.

"The deed was still done," he said. "Mentally, it's still upsetting, but I'm relieved."

Conway lauded the work of the sheriff's department and called the newspaper "like 'America's Most Wanted.' " He said customers and friends have passed on a number of leads that might help further, but he doesn't expect to get back much of the "dry goods" - the $6,000 to $7,000 of aquariums and lighting equipment.

"The dry goods are still probably in someone's garage," he said. "I would be surprised if we get them back."

Conway said said he believes the theft was motivated by retribution, not money, and involves the firing of an employee.

The store owner added that he's grateful to the customer.

"We are going to let them keep that dragon, with our deepest thanks," he said.

Anyone who has information about the burglary can call the sheriff's office at 883-5130.
Lizard lifting suspect caught

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• OR Press: Lizard lifting suspect caught - W von Papineäu, Thu Mar 4 19:52:46 2004