Over the weekend, a Largo woman found herself behind bars after being accused of swiping a high-priced exotic bird from a local pet store. Pinellas County Sheriff's Office detailed the incident that took place at Everything Birds inside the Oldsmar Flea Market, as per News Channel 8, where the Black Headed Caique, priced at $2,400, was allegedly taken by 54-year-old Grissel Flores Nistal.
Caught by the prying eyes of the store's surveillance system, Nistal was seen lurking through the baby bird section before she reached into the petter and spirited away the avian creature in her sizable purse, according to authorities. The bird, still dependent on hand feeding as reported by the store, became unwittingly the subject of a felony grand theft charge. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office informed us that after the video circulated and media coverage ensued, two citizens reached out through social media to help the detectives identify Nistal as the suspect. As noted by FOX 13, she was located at her residence in Largo, where she conceded to return the bird to its rightful owner.
Upon the bird's safe return, which was found to be in good health, authorities arrested Nistal. She was dispatched to the Pinellas County Jail, as reported by the Tampa Free Press.
