A Florida man is facing theft charges after authorities said he tried to steal a snake from a pet store by putting it in his pants.

>> Read more trending stories  

Surveillance video shows the suspect reach into the snake enclosure, pull out a baby python and put it in the left front pocket of his pants.

Store owner Steve Silk said the man has been at the Saint Petersburg store at least twice before and has targeted the store's high-end snakes.

This time, employees took matters into their own hands and confronted the suspect, Travis Treder.

When Treder tried to escape, employees blocked the front entrance and a customer, who also happened to be a security guard, jumped in to help.

They were able to zip-tie Treder until authorities arrived.

The store's owner estimates that Treder has stolen at least a thousand dollars worth of reptiles from the store in the past.

The baby python is estimated to cost around $150.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Greene County head football coach Darius Robinson, seen here celebrating with his team after a win in October, was relieved of coaching duties after his arrest, the Greene County School District said. (Lance McCurley/Lake Oconee News)

Credit: Lance McCurley/Lake Oconee News

Featured

Waymo autonomous vehicles operate across 65 square miles inside I-285 and have been involved in six incidents with Atlanta Public School buses since May. Waymo issued a recall because of their cars briefly stopping or slowing down before continuing forward while a bus was stopped and flashing its lights. (Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools)

Credit: Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools