A cold-blooded crime… stealing snakes! Our agency’s Organized Retail Theft Task Force and the Fairfax County Police Department charged a suspect linked to the theft of more than 60 reptiles from various pet stores in Maryland and Virginia. The suspect is 31-year-old DeSean Bagley of Capitol Heights. On August 6th, the PGPD and Fairfax County Police Department executed a search warrant at Bagley’s home in the 400 block of Abel Avenue. When members of the PGPD’s Emergency Services Team entered the apartment, Bagley was armed with a handgun. He ultimately complied with verbal commands and was taken into custody without incident.
During the search of the apartment, officers recovered six geckos, two bearded dragons, 11 ball python snakes and two milk snakes. Two handguns were also recovered. The investigation revealed the thefts occurred between March and May of this year. The suspect would sell the stolen reptiles on social media.
All of the recovered reptiles were turned over to Prince George’s County Animal Control.
The PGPD is also grateful for the assistance of the Charles County Sheriff's Office for its collaboration on this investigation.