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Owner of Lemay reptile shop believes stolen boa may have bitten thief

"The girl working ran outside and saw the car and she actually heard one of them scream because this particular snake was somewhat aggressive," said Brumley.

LEMAY, Mo. — There's a missing snake on the loose in Lemay. It was stolen Sunday from a pet store by two women posing as customers.

It's a slender serpent known for being sly and sneaky.

But in this case, James Brumley, the owner of Exotic A.R.C., isn't talking about snakes, he's referring to shoplifters.

"Some girls came in and distracted the girl that was working had her leave the trailer for a second and when she did they ran off with the snake in the container," Brumley said.

Brumley said the crooks struck Sunday at his shop on Lemay Ferry Road in South St. Louis County.

They got away with his $150 red-tail boa constrictor.

"And so the girl working ran outside and saw the car and she actually heard one of them scream because this particular snake was somewhat aggressive," said Brumley.

It's a slight helping of justice for people, Brumley said, took advantage of his current situation.

A fire inside of his store in November forced him to move the animals into this small trailer.

"It's sad that somebody can't, If they wanted it really bad, they should put there mind to something," said 13-year-old Dominick Brickey.

At only 13, Brickey knows how Brumley feels. 

"It's kind of sad though, I lost mine," Brickey said.

Bricky lost his pet and came to the shop to get a new one.

"I got a juvenile bearded dragon. I named her Sticks."

With Sticks in hand, Brickey had a stern message for the thieves. 

"I think whoever stole that snake, if you're going to take it, at least give it good care. Reptiles deserve to be treated equally," he said.

Brumley said the store has had its share of thefts in the past, and most of the time it's the snakes that are stolen.

He's hoping someone will come forward with information. He said stealing an animal is a felony.

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