NORMAN — A Norman man was unwittingly helpful in leading to his own arrest in the case of a python and a tortoise stolen from the Little River Zoo, police said.
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According to an investigator’s affidavit, Norman police found the reptiles at the home of Cody Daniel Hawkins, 24, on Sept. 24. Hawkins had gone to the zoo that day to ask employees how to care for a python and a tortoise, and employees alerted police.
The 12-foot albino Burmese python and an African Sulcata tortoise were taken from the Norman zoo about Sept. 21.
Hawkins was not charged with stealing the reptiles.
Hawkins faces felony charges of knowingly concealing stolen property, cruelty to animals and possession of a controlled dangerous drug.
Hawkins had the drug Ecstasy in his pocket when he was searched at the Cleveland County jail, according to court records.
The cruelty charge stems from a kitten being placed in the python’s cage and eaten by the snake, according to police.
The python disappeared from the zoo again on Sept. 27 and was returned anonymously Monday. Norman police are still investigating that case.
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