Shark stolen in baby stroller from San Antonio Aquarium returned safely

UPDATE:Leon Valley Police Chief Joseph Salvaggio said two suspects confessed to stealing a horn shark from the San Antonio Aquarium.

Salvaggio said the horn shark was returned to the aquarium in "very good condition." The next step, he said, is to acclimate "Ms. Helen" into the water.

"We are happy to get the shark back home," Salvaggio said.

Jamie Shank with the San Antonio Aquarium said they were not sure the horn shark was going to survive.

"She's a little fighter," Shank said. "She's a little survivor."

Authorities used the license plate of the truck to locate one of the suspects. Officials found the horn shark "thriving" in the home, because it appeared the suspects had experience working with these animals.

"Luckily the thief was someone who knew what he was doing," Salvaggio said.

Salvaggio said one of the shark theft suspects is 38 and could face felony charges. Right now, the suspects are facing charges for theft between $750 and $2,000.

The third suspect has not confessed and police are not sure if she will face charges, Salvaggio said.

The value of a horn shark is about $2,000, officials said.

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ORIGINAL STORY:

SAN ANTONIO (KABB/WOAI) - It's a crime that has many people asking: Why would anyone want to steal a shark?

San Antonio Aquarium manager Jenny Spellman couldn't believe it.

"Just absolute shock," Spellman said. "I couldn't believe that somebody would do something like that."

The surveillance video revealed how three suspects inside the aquarium stole a horn shark. The suspects are seen scoping the place out. Minutes later, a man stuck his hand inside a tank, pulled the shark out and walked to the back.

"So, now they are coming out of our back room after they've put the shark in here," Spellman said.

Workers immediately noticed something wasn't right.

"Here's one of our employees right here who noticed something going on and immediately alerted management," Spellman said.

The suspects allegedly disguised the shark as a baby in a stroller. Salvaggio thought it was a joke.

"They finally convinced me that it was true somebody had walked in and stole a shark out of [an] aquarium," Salvaggio said.

One of the suspects is seen taking off in a truck, leaving the woman and baby behind.

Police want the community to take a good look at the accused shark stealers. Spellman hopes someone makes a connection.

"People who are willing to do something like this, especially if the shark hasn't made it, are brought to justice," Spellman said.

Police located the truck used to steal the shark from the aquarium. It has been impounded.

Investigators are reviewing surveillance video from the theft. Salavaggio expects to make an arrest soon.

The three suspects are facing theft charges, Salvaggio said.