2 Men Arrested In String Of VA Snake Thefts Totaling $15K

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA – Fairfax County police have announced the arrests of three suspects in connection with a string of cold-blooded thefts.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department, someone has been stealing reptiles from county pet stores – thousands of dollars' worth of reptiles, in fact.

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The department says officers first responded to a report of theft from a Richmond Highway Petco in Groveton on May 21, in which four pythons were reported stolen.

But that was just the beginning, according to police. Thefts were also reported at a Petco on Leesburg Pike in Bailey's Crossroads on May 23 and at a Petco on Little River Turnpike in Annandale on May 25.

In total, according to Fairfax Police Captain Richard Cash, assistant commander of the Criminal Investigation Division, 20 reptiles worth $10,000 to $15,000 were recovered from a residence in Maryland's Capitol Heights district when police executed a search warrant there. Cash said two of the stolen ball pythons alone were worth $400 each, and that the crew had also stolen bearded dragons, geckos and milk snakes, all of which were recovered during the search.

Fairfax County detectives say three people are responsible for the thefts: DeSean Bagley, 31, of Maryland; Xavier Igo, 21, of Maryland; and another adult woman.

Bagley was arrested on Aug. 6, when detectives executed the search warrant in Capitol Heights. He is charged with two counts of petit larceny, felony larceny with intent to sell, and felony wearing a mask in public. He is being held in Prince George's County and will be extradited to Fairfax, police say.

Igo turned himself in to detectives in Fairfax County on Aug. 8. He is charged with petit larceny and was released on his own recognizance.

A third person police say is also responsible for the thefts is an adult woman from Maryland. She is charged with two counts of petit larceny, two counts of misdemeanor concealment of goods and felony larceny with intent to sell.

All will eventually be brought to Fairfax County for trial, Cash said in a press briefing. Cash also said that Prince George's County, Charles County and Baltimore County also experienced thefts by the same individuals.

Cash said the team of thieves operated in pairs and that detectives viewed video footage of the thieves stealing the reptiles with bags they'd brought to the stores. He also said the accused have past criminal histories involving larceny.

Police say they don't think any more people were involved in the theft ring. They also don't have a motive, though Cash did say a few traveling reptile expos where animals are displayed and sold are coming to the area soon, and that the accused thieves might have planned to sell the reptiles there.

Personnel from the Prince George's County Police Department, Prince George's County Animal Services Division, and Charles County Sheriff's Office assisted in the search and arrests.

Fairfax County police ask anyone with information about these thefts or others to call the Mason District Station at (703) 256-8035 or to submit a tip through Crime Solvers by phone at 1 (866) 411-TIPS (866-411-8477) or online here.