NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Crooks took off with a family’s beloved crescent cockatoo from their North Miami Beach home, and it was all caught on camera.
According to police, a pet cockatoo was stolen from the backyard of a home located along Northeast 154th Street and 14th Avenue, on Sept. 16.
Police said two men were caught on camera going behind the home and sneaking into the backyard, where they stole the cage with the cockatoo, named Bopper, inside.
“They did it in such a slick way that, you know, they must have been watching our routine and me not knowing it,” Bopper’s owner, Santina Castillo, said.
Now, Bopper’s owners are terribly worried for their beloved pet, especially since sulfur-crescent cockatoos are intelligent and not native to the area, making them highly valuable and expensive.
“Not only was he our bird, but he’s family,” said Castillo.
Crescent cockatoos are worth about $8,000.
However, the high price is not the reason why Bopper’s owners desperately want him back.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said Castillo, “and it’s violating. That’s a family member, at the end of the day. Six years… they took a piece of us.”
The family has posted flyers in their neighborhood hoping someone steps forward with any information. The bird is white with yellow crested feathers on his head and under his wings. He also has a ring around his ankle, and he knows his name.
“He loves music. He likes to dance. It would be nice for him to come back home,” Castillo said.
If you have any information on this bird-napping, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
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