Cops Baffled Over Thief With Tortoise Covered In Jewels

Story By: Kathryn Quinn, Sub EditorJoseph GolderAgency: Central European News

Cops on-call were surprised to find an alleged thief holding a tortoise covered in shiny jewels – and say they have no idea why the animals was covered in rare stones.

At first glance, the tortoise looked like a toy, but the officers soon noticed it was moving and that it had 13 coloured jewellery stones stuck to its back shell.

Police were called by a woman who reported seeing a man trying to steel metal from a container. When he was disturbed the 36-year-old man fled into a nearby building.

Picture Credit: CEN

Police surrounded the building and firemen were called to help light up the area. Police used a loud speaker to demand the thief come out of the building shortly before midnight.

After he refused the policemen searched the building and found the man holding a tortoise covered in sparkly jewels which had been stuck to its shell.

Julia Neumann police press spokesman told Central European News (CEN): “We do not know why the tortoise was covered in the jewels. That is currently part of our investigation. Luckily the tortoise was not injured and is now being kept in an animal refuge, where there has already been people come forward who would take the animal. There are currently no further updates,”

The tortoise is a Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo) which originate from southern Europe and measured around 10 CM in length.

A police spokesman said: “As well as a stolen bike, the man was carrying a tortoise whose body was covered in shiny jewels.”

The man was forced to hand over the tortoise to the police and faces animal cruelty charges as well as theft.

The reason for the jewels is not known and police are investigating.

The animal is currently being cared for at an animal refuge.

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