Leapin' Lizards December 18, 2009 3:59 PM | permalink

A Hillsboro, KY father and son are both behind bars after police say they stole a rare lizard then tried hawking it for liquor.

David Martt (pictured above), 44, and his 18-year-old son, Harley D. Martt (below), allegedly took off with an 18-inch bearded dragon named “Big” from The Eagles Landing Pet Hospital Wednesday afternoon.  One of the men distracted the staff by pretending to make an appointment for a puppy while the other nabbed the reptile, according to cops.  The rouse was all caught on videotape.

First, the duo allegedly tried, unsuccessfully, to sell the reptile at JB’s Gun and Pawn; then they went to a nearby liquor store to swap the exotic pet for alcohol.

Officers apprehended them a short time later.

The Martts are both charged with theft by unlawful taking under $500.

Big is recovering from hypothermia.

Am I stupid, or is theft by unlawful taking redundant?  Speaking of which, why didn’t they just steal the booze?

Only in Kentucky kids, only in Kentucky.

Comments

[jeo]

Why didn't they just take the Lizard to the nearest lounge and let a friend pay his ransom?

[Carlos]

It sounds redundant but my guess is that "theft by unlawful taking" is meant to distinguish the grab-and-dash larceny from other kinds of theft such as embezzlement—in which case the item came into the person's possession legally but he wasn't supposed to keep it.

[Jay]

Since when are bearded dragons rare? You can pick them up in any pet shop for ~$50 -$100...

[Gail]

After 10 years in KY, these two are more normal than dumb.
I do believe in Inbreeding, I do, I DO.

[777777]

Kentucky is filled with dumb, white trash.

[Mel]

Why do I get the feeling they live in a trailer?

[dmoonme]

$50-$100 is rare for me these days buddy. Got laid off over a year ago, unemployment ran out still looking for work. Can you make money blogging?

[Brian]

Really! REALLY!!!.. thats all i can say..