One suspect has been apprehended and a stolen cockatoo recovered following a theft from a Concord pet store in September, though one suspect and one parrot are still outstanding, according to police.
The Feathered Follies pet store in Concord was burglarized in early September and two exotic birds — Tofu and Plato — were stolen, police said.
The case had gone cold, but recently the Union City Police Department reached out to Concord investigators with information relevant to the case.
Two suspects have been identified: Edward Casey of San Jose and Erik Stabile of Fremont.
After more investigation, Casey was arrested at his residence in San Jose, while Stabile currently has an active warrant for his arrest.
“Each operation led to another clue regarding the whereabouts of one of the stolen birds, Tofu,” Concord police said on social media.
Bird buyers beware
Eventually detectives learned Tofu had been sold by an unknowing seller to an unknowing buyer in Los Angeles.
The latest seller of the bird, a business owner who is not a suspect in this case, was “remarkably cooperative,” according to police, and shared their desire to get Tofu home safely.
The seller drove to Los Angeles, refunded the new owner and brought Tofu back home where police said an emotional reunion took place.
The investigation into Plato’s location is still ongoing.
Anyone who may have information regarding this case, especially the location of Plato, should email Detective Dylan Luciano or phone 925-603-5831.
The post A bird in the hand and a suspect on the lam as Concord cops crack cockatoo caper appeared first on Local News Matters.