A Florida man known locally as ‘Redbeard’ stole his roommate’s $1,800 parrot, abandoned it injured and alone at a bus stop, and is now facing charges, authorities say.
Justin Peters, also known as “Redbeard,” is a 40-year-old man from Summerland Key. Eh was arrested on Tuesday for the theft of a parrot named Piper. He’s been charged with both grand theft and animal cruelty, according to the Monroe County Sherriff office.
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The 37-year-old female victim, Piper’s owner, and Peters’ roommate stated he had told him multiple times that he did not have permission to take the bird out of the cage or out of the apartment. She reported the suspected theft on June 14th.
Luckily, the case was solved quickly. Just the day before, a witness reported seeing a man looking like Peters at the bus stop near his business. Later in the day, the witness went out to the bus stop, finding Peters missing, but the parrot was still there and alone. He took the parrot in and attempted to find its owners.
Another witness at the nearby gas station reported seeing a man who looked like Peters with a red parrot as well. Both witnesses reported the parrot seeming stressed and agitated. Security camera footage confined the accuracy of both reports.
Piper was returned to her owner and given medical care, as she had suffered multiple broken bones and other assorted injuries.
Peters was taken to jail and is now officially facing charges.
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