LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Police say "rare animals" have been disappearing from a local pet store -- and they think they know why.
According to an arrest report, 18-year-old James L. Lawrey was hired at Pets Palace in March. Pets Palace is a Louisville pet store located on Goldsmith Lane, near Bardstown Road.
Shortly after he started working there, police say several "rare animals" began disappearing. Included among the missing animals were, a rare garter snake, a carpet python and two rare sulcata turtle eggs.
Police say Lawrey purchased an incubator near the time the animals vanished.
On June 18, the manager of a Pets Galore store called Pets Palace to advise them that Lawrey had been to the competitor and tried to sell them a carpet python, according to the arrest report.
Lawrey was arrested on Friday afternoon and charged with theft by unlawful taking.
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James Lawrey (Source: Louisville Metro Corrections)
