The Fitzwaters of Elizabethtown are missing several slithering, scaly members of their extended family.
Their valuable lot of snakes and lizards, which they kept as pets, were taken while the family was away on a weekend vacation.
Investigators say someone stole 16 snakes and two lizards, valued at $7,900, from their home in the 1600 block of Turnpike Road, where they also operate a reptile rescue center.
A group of other animals the family had rescued — including Burmese pythons, monitor lizards and a tortoise — were untouched, but the more expensive family pets were plucked from their abodes.
"It has to be someone who knows what they're doing," John Fitzwater said. "They're very expensive. They knew exactly what things to pull."
The animals were taken Saturday or early Sunday, he said, because a relative checked on the pets Saturday morning.
The intruder removed a window air-conditioning unit and damaged curtains while climbing into a basement bedroom, he said.
The cage holding the Fitzwaters' 5-foot alligator was opened, but that beast likely "put up a fight" and was left behind, Fitzwater said.
A local reptile expert said the thief or thieves are looking to turn a quick dollar.
"I'm sure they're trying to make money off of it," said Jesse Rothacker, founder of Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary, a reptile rescue center in Manheim.
"You get an empty feeling in your stomach. You spend years taking care of your pets, and someone comes in like they're robbing the counter at a store," Rothacker added. "All they see are dollar signs."
Rothacker is helping the Fitzwaters find their 15 missing ball pythons, an albino boa and pair of bearded dragon lizards. He warned more than 1,200 members of the Forgotten Friend rescue network to be on the lookout for rare snakes newly on the market.
But buyers can be found on websites and trade shows, Rothacker said.
"Reptiles, they can't bark. They can't cry," Rothacker said. "They're vulnerable to theft."
The Fitzwaters' rehab center, Triple J Reptile & Rescue, has adopted more than 100 unwanted animals since it opened its doors in 2005.
Fitzwater bought his most recent critters, the stolen bearded dragons, two weeks ago as pets for two of his children.
"They're in tears," Fitzwater said of his young daughter and son. "I wish they would be nice enough and at least return those."
Fitzwater estimated it would cost $8,000 to $10,000 to replace the pets.
Northwest Regional police are investigating the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact them at 367-8481.
dmartin@lnpnews.com
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