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NSW monkey thief at large despite arrests

NSW Police are still hunting for the thief or thieves at the centre of a monkey kidnapping after the stolen primates were returned to a zoo south of Sydney.

Police are still searching for whoever stole three marmoset monkeys from a Sydney zoo after the trio were reunited with their family.

Despite two arrests, wide media coverage and the return of all three of the stolen monkeys, those responsible for the theft have evaded capture.

Gomez, the 10-year-old father of the two other stolen primates, was the last of the rare pygmy marmosets to be returned to the Symbio Wildlife Park at Helensburgh after the monkeys were stolen on Friday night.

He was left in a box on the doorstep of a vet at Tahmoor, about 70km west of Helensburgh, on Monday night.

His 10-month-old daughter Sofia and a four-week-old baby were recovered during a vehicle stop on Sunday, with two brothers being charged.

Brothers George and Jessie Jackson from southwest Sydney have admitted transporting two of the marmosets as part of a plan to sell them, but police are still hunting for the thief - or thieves - behind Friday's monkey heist.

Court documents show George Jackson was communicating with a third person, Ryan, who offered to sell the baby monkey to the 23-year-old.

"Ay, check out my monkey", Ryan said in a text message with a picture of the animal, which was tendered in court on Monday.

"That's mad bro. Wanna sell it bruh?" Jackson responded.

Ryan told Jackson he "paid nothing" for the monkey, but "got it from the zoo last night".

Later on in the conversation, when Ryan asked how much they could sell the pygmy marmoset for, Jackson suggested "500" (presumably $500). "But haven't been offered any in ages bro," he texted.

There was also evidence the pair had planned to sell a snake and a joey.

On Tuesday morning, Symbio reported that Gomez had been returned home "in OK condition" but was "very scared".

"Gomez has been reunited with his family this morning and we are allowing them as much time as needed to settle back in, in privacy," the park said in a Facebook post.

"Sofia, the baby and the remaining family members are all doing well.

"Our exhibit will remain closed again today to give the family time to re-bond with Gomez, as we observe the dynamics within the family."


3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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