Deputies arrest man for stealing lizards, turtles from former employer

Collier County sheriff’s deputies arrested a man Friday for stealing a $2,000 venomous lizard and a number of turtles from his former employer.

On June 3, Jose Ybarra, 20, of 5183 Cortina Court, drove to the Naples-based Reptile Industries with gloves and a pillowcase, a Sheriff’s Office report said. Ybarra then walked into the building to an area where a $2,000 Gila monster was kept and put the lizard in the pillowcase. Ybarra put the lizard in the bathroom, and when no one was looking, ran with the lizard to his vehicle, the report said.

On June 12, the business reported $3,750-worth of turtles missing.

An undercover agent contacted Ybarra, who agreed to sell one of the turtles. On Friday, Ybarra met the agent outside the Pets Plus on Golden Gate Parkway. Ybarra was arrested and charged with grand theft.

Ybarra told investigators he took the lizard because he needed money for his 1-year-old.