A reward is being offered for the return of a designer snake stolen from an Elk Grove store.
The $500 Bumblebee ball python was stolen about 11:30 a.m. on Valentine's Day from The Serpentarium, 9160 East Stockton Blvd.
Store security video shows a man and a woman looking at snakes in the showroom. At one point the man removes a lock from a terrarium and eventually pocketing the snake, according to Robert Coral, owner of The Serpentarium.
Coral said a Bumblebee is created by cross-breeding a Spider ball python with a Pastel ball python. A very low percentage of the off-spring will be Bumblebee pythons, which have a brilliant color.
"It looks like a pastel, brightly-colored Spider ball python," said Coral.
Since they are less common, they go for more money. Coral has offered a $100 cash reward or $150 store gift certificate for a return of the reptile.
This is not the first snake stolen. Before he had good surveillance in the store, a $125 boa was stolen from the store three months ago.
The snake was born at the Serpentarium in Lodi. The Lodi breeding facility has been in existence for 23 years, while the Elk Grove store opened just 8 months ago.
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call the Elk Grove store at (916) 686-1447.
PHOTO CAPTION: A bumblebee ball python was stolen from The Serpentarium in Elk Grove.
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