2 accused of stealing hissing cockroach, reptiles

[November 19, 2010]  BALTIMORE (AP) -- Baltimore police say two brothers aged 11 and 14 have been charged as juveniles with stealing about a dozen reptiles and a hissing cockroach from a city-run nature center.

Police spokeswoman Officer Nicole Monroe said Thursday that the boys will face charges including theft and breaking and entering. They've been released into their parents' custody.

Police said an iguana, geckos, chameleons, turtles and a wingless insect called a Madagascar hissing cockroach were taken in separate thefts from Baltimore's Carrie Murray Nature Center.

Police say the suspects entered the nature center at night through unlocked doors or windows and spirited away the critters. All were recovered and returned to the center Tuesday.

[Associated Press]

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