Thief creams Cracker
Reporter: Beatriz Ayala
Date published: 05 November 2008
THIEVES who snatched a £700 parrot from a pet shop have got more than they bargained for as the bird can say its name and address.
Cracker, a six-month-old African grey, was stolen from Pet Care Oldham, Ashton Road, Hollins, at about 5.25pm on Monday.
What the thieves do not know is that the talkative, hand-reared bird can recite its name and the pet shop’s name every time a phone rings.
The thief was in the shop for about 30 minutes when he grabbed the cage with the bird inside and fled.
Stuart Ward (40), from Birch Avenue, has owned the shop for 41/2 years.
He said: “The man was looking a bit suspect. He was coming inside the shop every two minutes and said he was waiting for his wife.
“Then he snatched the cage and ran off. It is gutting. The people who did this are scum.
“We set up CCTV a few years ago but we can’t stop people coming into the shop.”
Shop manager James Marsland (44) said: “We were talking for a while when he grabbed the cage and ran off.
“I chased him and I remember seeing a van, so I think they were waiting for him to run out.”
The bird is described as grey, with a red tail and pale grey head.
The offender is described as 5ft 11ins, in his 20s, with short brown hair.
He was wearing an black and red Nike Air Max jacket, and trainers.
CCTV footage of the theft has been handed to the police. Anyone with information should call 0161-856 8971.
