Seven black Australian swans missing from park
Orlando, FL (US)Incident Date: Friday, Oct 1, 2010
County: Orange
Charges: Misdemeanor, Felony Non-CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Stephen Brezil
Case Updates: 3 update(s) available
Feathers are ruffling at Lake Eola Park where thieves have recently made off with nine of the city's most notable icons.
Police are investigating the disappearance of the black Australian swans that live along the edges of The City Beautiful's downtown lake.
"We don't want them harmed," said City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, who oversees the bird's care. "We just want them all back."
On Wednesday, two of the swans were returned safely and relatively unharmed, police said. The animals were hungry and dehydrated, but alive.
Park officials realized the birds were missing last weekend while performing the annual "swan roundup" during which the animals are counted and provided medical treatment. The animal thefts were reported to Orlando police, who began investigating immediately.
Police received a tip that led them to two of the birds Wednesday. An anonymous tipster said two people stole two of the black swans sometime overnight Oct. 15 and 16. The thieves captured the docile birds -- one male and one female -- put them inside a car and drove away.
Just hours after receiving the tip, the swans were returned in cages to Orlando police, who wouldn't discuss the details of the handoff.
WTLV, a television station in Jacksonville, reported on its website late Thursday that a store there had been contacted by authorities investigating the theft. When contacted, the co-owner of Blazin' Reptiles reportedly told WTLV "the swans have been returned."
Investigators say an arrest is imminent but declined to release the name of the suspect until he is behind bars. He could face grand-theft and dealing in stolen property charges, police spokeswoman Sgt. Barbara Jones said.
Swans mate for life, but the two birds the thieves stole last weekend were not mates. As a result, two swan families were affected by the theft during nesting season.
The swans are worth $500 to $800 each and mated pairs are worth more money, Sheehan said. But, "they have a priceless value to the city and the community."
Each of the city's swans has an identification microchip, but most are nameless. The two recovered this week aren't named, Sheehan said.
Police recently installed IRIS cameras at Lake Eola Park, but they were not activated until Monday, after the thefts occurred.
"We are going to catch you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law," Sheehan warned those who have stolen or plan to steal the swans.
Sheila Bolin, president and CEO of The Regal Swan, a nonprofit foundation that tends to the birds, called the thefts "embarrassing."
"We travel all over the world" taking care of swans, Bolin said. "This is the first place in the whole world where we have had to rescue [stolen] swans."
Anyone with information about the stolen swans is urged to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477.
Case UpdatesA Jacksonville man who police say stole eight swans from Lake Eola is out on bail.
Orlando police said a CrimeLine tip led them to Stephen Brezil. An arrest warrant was issued for him Thursday. He turned himself in around 1 p.m. Friday.
Brezil posted his $24,000 bond Friday evening.
Police say the pet shop operator grabbed the swans earlier this month and then tried to sell them on Craigslist.
The 22-year-old told investigators he didn't think the swans belonged to anyone because they weren't fenced in.
The city of Orlando owns the swans, and has them all tagged with microchips.
Six of the swans have been recovered, but there's still no sign of the other two.
Four of the swans were found at a shelter for exotic animals in Lake Butler, which is north of Gainesville.
Two others were recovered and returned last week.
Brezil was charged with six counts of grand theft and six counts of animal cruelty. | Source: cfnews13.com - Oct 30, 2010
Update posted on Oct 30, 2010 - 7:28PM |
The mystery of the stolen swans at Lake Eola may be solved.
Police have issued an arrest warrant for a Jacksonville man who they said stole eight swans earlier this month.
They said a CrimeLine tip led them to Stephen Brezil.
He's being charged with six counts of grand theft and six counts of animal cruelty.
Brezil's attorney said his 22-year-old client plans to surrender.
Six of the swans have been recovered, but there's still no sign of the other two.
Four were found at a shelter for exotic animals in Lake Butler, which is north of Gainesville.
Two others were recovered and returned last week.
When he's arrested, Brezil's bond will be set at $24,000. | Source: cfnews13.com - Oct 28, 2010
Update posted on Oct 28, 2010 - 8:38PM |
The tale of the stolen Lake Eola swans may have a happy ending.
Six swans that recently disappeared from the iconic downtown lake have been returned safely. Although three more are still missing, detectives think they may know where they can be found.
"Two more may be in Titusville," said city commissioner Patty Sheehan. "People who have bought birds are now checking them out."
Sheehan said the third missing bird may not be missing at all, and could have been accidentally left out during a recent count.
On Friday morning, four swans were recovered from an exotic-animal rescue in Lake Butler, a small town about 30 miles north of Gainesville.
Two Orlando police detectives and a city park official drove there and confirmed four swans living at the exotic-animal rescue were stolen from Lake Eola recently.
One of the birds �" a blind black Australian swan named Bruno who has lived at Lake Eola for years �" was one of those recovered Friday.
On Friday afternoon the four birds were back in Orlando and were quarantined until they could be checked out by a veterinarian. Initial examinations showed the birds had lost weight and were stressed out, officials said.
Police said the Lake Butler man who purchased the swans is not considered a suspect in the theft of the swans.
Travis Williams of Williams Exotic Waterfowl called police to tell them he may have unknowingly purchased four of the stolen swans from a pet store, Williams told the Orlando Sentinel.
Williams said he bought four swans, including one that was blind and another with a bad wing, from a Jacksonville pet store called Blazin Reptiles.
Williams said he paid $700 for four birds.
"It's beyond me," Williams said. "My whole family is in shock."
Orlando authorities examined the swans and then scanned them. It was determined the four birds were the stolen Lake Eola swans, Sgt. Barbara Jones said.
Each of the city's swans has a unique identification microchip.
Lake Eola Park officials realized nine swans were missing last weekend while performing the annual "swan roundup" during which the animals are counted and provided medical treatment. The animal thefts were reported to Orlando police, who began investigating immediately.
Police received a tip that led them to two of the birds Wednesday. An anonymous tipster said two people stole two of the black swans sometime overnight Oct. 15 and 16.
The thieves captured the docile birds �" one male and one female �" put them inside a car and drove away.
Those two birds were returned safely Wednesday.
Police have yet to make an arrest in the case, but do have a suspect, Jones said. She declined to name the suspect until he has been arrested. The investigation is ongoing.
"People know the swans belong in their natural habitat," Jones said. "They are part of the City of Orlando and they were not for sale or for someone to steal. They were purchased for residents and visitors to enjoy."
Detectives urge anyone with information about the stolen Lake Eola swans to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477. | Source: Orlando Sentinel - Oct 22, 2010
Update posted on Oct 28, 2010 - 8:36PM |
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