04-27-2010, 12:12 PM
A simian-snatching group stole away with a monkey trained as a companion for a Putnam County woman with mental disabilities.
Joan Newberger, 60, was showing the marmoset monkey, named Destiny and clad in a yellow dress and lavender leash, to four men about 5:40 p.m. Friday at Acme Grooming and Pet Haven Adoption Service in San Mateo.
One of the men grabbed the animal from Newberger and pulled out a pair of scissors. After the leash was snipped, all four men ran from the store, according to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.
Two of the men ran from the store on U.S. 17 south of Palatka while the monkey, worth $4,900, was spirited away by the others in a black sport utility vehicle, according to the Sheriff's Office.
All four were wearing long black shorts and black shirts, according to the report. They were described as black males each weighing about 170 pounds and about 5-foot-8. (Should be easy enough to find in So Cal)
It was the second time in six months this type of monkey was stolen from the business, said Maj. Keith Riddick
Joan Newberger, 60, was showing the marmoset monkey, named Destiny and clad in a yellow dress and lavender leash, to four men about 5:40 p.m. Friday at Acme Grooming and Pet Haven Adoption Service in San Mateo.
One of the men grabbed the animal from Newberger and pulled out a pair of scissors. After the leash was snipped, all four men ran from the store, according to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.
Two of the men ran from the store on U.S. 17 south of Palatka while the monkey, worth $4,900, was spirited away by the others in a black sport utility vehicle, according to the Sheriff's Office.
All four were wearing long black shorts and black shirts, according to the report. They were described as black males each weighing about 170 pounds and about 5-foot-8. (Should be easy enough to find in So Cal)
It was the second time in six months this type of monkey was stolen from the business, said Maj. Keith Riddick