Police: Thief tried to hide python in his pants

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A Florida man is facing theft charges after authorities said he tried to steal a snake from a pet store by putting it in his pants.

Surveillance video shows the suspect reach into the snake enclosure, pull out a baby python and put it in the left front pocket of his pants.

Store owner Steve Silk said the man has been at the Saint Petersburg store at least twice before, and has targeted the store's high end snakes.

This time, employees took matters into their own hands and confronting the suspect, Travis Treder.

When Treder tried to escape, employees blocked the front entrance and a customer, who also happened to be a security guard, jumped in to help.

They were able to zip-tie Treder until authorities arrived.

The store's owner estimates that Treder has stolen at least a thousand dollars worth of reptiles from the store in the past.

The baby python is estimated to cost around 150 dollars.

Cox Media Group