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YARMOUTHPORT REGISTER (Massachusetts) 03 August 06 Flax Pond thefts linked to three neighbors (Craig Salters)
A five-foot long albino Burmese python is now slithering on the grounds of the Flax Pond Recreation Area in South Yarmouth.
Actually, that's good news.
The python, an orange-white creature whose real name is Cyclops Creamsicle but who answers to "Cy," has been recovered along with about $10,000 worth of other items which were stolen from Flax Pond this summer.
Yarmouth police Sunday arrested three women - two adults and one 16-year-old juvenile who live not far from the recreation area - in connection with the rash of vandalism and robberies.
"I'm just so impressed with the work of the Yarmouth police and Detective [Patrick] Carty in particular," said a relieved Pat Armstrong, Yarmouth's director of Recreation. "It's been a long five or six weeks."
According to Armstrong, the first break-in occurred at the end of June just as Flax Pond was getting ready for its summer camp programs. Taken that time, among other items, were expensive computer equipment and the camp's cherished python.
"He's been here six or seven years and he's very much a mainstay," said Armstrong of the snake. "The children love him, along with the staff, the DPW workers, just about everyone."
Flax Pond got hit again about a week later, said Armstrong, when thieves removed the window from the main building and stole candy, water and other items intended for the campers.
"The next day, we had nothing to give them," the director said.
In all, the camp suffered three robberies during the summer. In addition to the computer, python and candy, other stolen items included assorted fish tanks, art supplies, a cash register and archery supplies. At one point the camp's kayaks were taken for a joyride and there were also some broken benches and acts of spray painting.
"It was very frustrating," said Armstrong.
According to police, at 12:26 a.m. Saturday Yarmouth Police Officer Michael Kramer discovered three people walking through Flax Pond. He arrested two of the three for being minors in possession of alcohol and put a third in protective custody for public intoxication.
Carty was called in to interview the three and, based upon information they gave him, obtained a search warrant for 12 Idlewood Drive in South Yarmouth. Just after 8 a.m. Sunday, police searched the address, located the stolen property and arrested Lori A. Marhefka, 42; Colleen E. Marhefka, 24; and a 16-year-old juvenile girl.
Lori Marhefka faces the charge of receiving stolen property while Colleen Marhefka faces the following charges: receiving stolen property, breaking in at nighttime, larceny and vandalism.
Police charged the juvenile with receiving stolen property, breaking in at nighttime, possession of marijuana, and possession of a dangerous weapon.
According to police, the investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are a possibility. Anyone with information about the thefts should contact the Yarmouth Police Department at 508-775-0445, ext. 132.
Flax Pond thefts linked to three neighbors

The burm has been there 5 or 6 years and is only 5ft.

If both of those things are accurate, I agree, but it seems to be a lot to ask of (most) reporters to get 2 facts about a snake correct in one article...

heh, yeah, they probably told reporters it was a lrage snake, and the reporters brilliant minds probably thought 5 feet was huge for a snake, thats my little imaginative story in my head...