Tucson Police Search for Suspects After Two Python Snakes Stolen from Midtown Pet Store During Daylight Theft

Tucson police are searching for a man and woman accused of stealing two ball pythons from the Desert Pet Center while accompanied by children in a wagon.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 26, 2026, 11:34 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from KGUN 9 Tucson

Unusual Theft at Desert Pet Center

Midtown Neighborhood Crimes detectives have been assigned to a peculiar theft case involving the disappearance of live merchandise from a local small business. On Monday, March 23, two ball pythons were removed from the Desert Pet Center without payment. Store owners discovered the loss after reviewing security footage, which captured the arrival and departure of the suspected individuals. The incident has left the staff at the independent pet store "on edge," as they typically focus on customer education and animal care rather than high-stakes security monitoring.

Suspect Descriptions and Surveillance Evidence

Surveillance video provided to authorities shows a man and a woman entering the store accompanied by a group of children being pulled in a wagon. In a particularly bold move, one of the adult suspects appears to reach into an enclosure and place a snake directly into a personal handbag. Jennifer Sherry, one of the store's owners, expressed disbelief that the theft was carried out in front of children. While the financial loss is notable—with the least expensive of the two snakes valued at $200—the owners emphasized that their primary concern is the biological safety of the animals.

Specialized Care Requirements for Ball Pythons

The theft poses a significant risk to the health of the stolen pythons due to their specific environmental needs. Ball pythons require a highly regulated, humid environment to facilitate healthy shedding and proper digestion. Maintaining these conditions is notoriously difficult in the arid climate of southern Arizona without professional equipment. Sherry noted that if the snakes do not shed correctly due to low humidity, they often stop eating, which can lead to rapid health decline and even death. The store is pleading for the return of the animals to ensure they are placed back into a climate-controlled habitat.