San Pedro (CA) men arrested in dumping of reptile at lake

[question everything]

The Daily Breeze

Thursday, August 25, 2005

San Pedro men arrested in dumping of reptile at lake

Rescuers learn their quarry has a name: Reggie. Authorities are charging an ex-Los Angeles police officer and another man conspired and dumped the alligator.
By Donna Littlejohn and Josh Grossberg
Daily Breeze

The mystery of who dumped a big reptile in Machado Lake has apparently been solved.

Authorities arrested a former Los Angeles police officer at his San Pedro home in a pre-dawn raid Wednesday, charging him and another San Pedro man of conspiring and dumping the 6- to 7-foot alligator named Reggie into the lake at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park.

Officials believe the animal, which has been the focus of an intensive search over the past 13 days, was left in the lake about two months ago because of its size. An alligator rescue team from Florida continued to search for Reggie on Wednesday with little luck, although the animal hasn't been spotted since Sunday afternoon.

A citizen's tip received Saturday led to the raids and arrests.

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The alligators were kept in a pond in Natow's back yard, authorities said. An alligator habitat, narcotics and two snapping turtles were found at Brewer's home.

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All the animals found at Natow's and Brewer's homes are illegal to own without a permit, according to the county Animal Care and Control, state Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Neither held such permits, according to Fish and Game spokesman Steve Matarano.

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Staff writers Denise Nix and Kristin S. Agostoni and City News Service contributed to this article.


Find this article at:
http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/articles/1801137.html

[ronnykmarshall]

1. That gator's becoming a star!

[Howardx]

2. harbor city wants to adopt him

they are calling him "harbor city harry" apparently.