Suspects Taunted Stranded Sea Lions Before Kidnapping Pup

Authorities released descriptions of four suspects who nabbed a baby sea lion stolen from its mother on Dockweiler State Beach Sunday.

A witness told officers the suspects were harassing and taunting two baby sea lions before taking one, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The suspects, two men and two women, wrapped the sea lion pup up in a blanket and drove away, which is a federal crime.

Summoned to the scene by authorities, Pete Wallerstein of Marine Animal Rescue predicted it would be a challenge and dangerous to care for the kidnapped pup.

“That’s going to be tough because most people don’t know how to feed them. And to take them comes with a $10,000 fine and a year in prison,” Wallerstein said.

“It’s hard to feed them and they need water.”

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, a federal agency, was conducting an investigation into the kidnapped baby sea lion, since Sea Lions are federally protected, according to the LAPD.

The suspects are believed to be two males and two females, all Hispanic, between 20 and 25-years-old. They were in a dark, two-door Honda Civic with California plates, the last two numbers of which are “56,” police said.

Anyone with information about the suspects or the sea lion pup was urged to contact the LAPD’s Pacific Station at (310) 482-6334. Calls can also be directed to (877) LAPD-24-7 and anonymous tips can be provided by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

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City News Service

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