People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the safe return of five box turtles recently stolen from the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve, 9770 Autry Mill Rd. in Johns Creek, and to the kidnappers’ conviction on criminal charges.
Three suspects were caught on surveillance footage removing the turtles from their enclosure and placing them in a bucket at 6:20 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19. According to the nature preserve, it is illegal to keep box turtles as pets in Georgia and “these turtles have all been raised in captivity and are very unlikely to survive in the wild.”
Johns Creek police have released photos of the suspects, and PETA is asking for the public’s help in identifying them.
“Turtles know their ‘home range’ and will suffer every day that they’re separated from the home and caretakers that they know,” says PETA Senior Director of Cruelty Casework Stephanie Bell. “PETA is asking anyone who recognizes these suspects to come forward immediately so that these turtles can be safely returned home.”
Anyone with information should contact the nature preserve at 678-366-3511 or Johns Creek Police Detective R. Bucki at 678-474-1579 or rbucki@johnscreekga.gov.
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