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<p>HANOVER TWP. &#8212; A pet store owner found his business burglarized Tuesday morning, but no cash or electronics were missing.</p><p>Instead, the thief took the store&#8217;s alligators and possibly other prized reptiles.</p><p>Cameron English, 30, owner of CDE Exotics at 97 Oxford St., says two people smashed the shop&#8217;s door and stole three 2-foot American alligators used to help educate the public.</p><p>&#8220;They hit me in the heart.&#8221; said English. &#8220;I wish they took the money.&#8221;</p><p>In his near three years in business, English has never had a break-in but has had a problem with some thieves.</p><p>&#8220;I installed security cameras a little over a year ago,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I&#8217;ve probably lost about $2,000 from people with sticky fingers stealing my pets. But that has stopped since I put the cameras up.&#8221;</p><p>English hasn&#8217;t been able to confirm if the robbers took the other missing reptiles or if they just simply escaped after the break-in.</p><p>The pets missing from the store include: Savannah and Nile monitors, a marbled gecko and a 4-foot black and white Argentine tegu.</p><p>English said security footage showed two individuals wearing hoods and baggy clothing smash the glass at 4:45 a.m. and take the three alligators before leaving.</p><p>&#8220;The guy had to be about 6 foot 3 or 6 foot 4,&#8221; English said. &#8220;When we came in, a large concrete foundation block was found 25 feet into the store. It had to be a big strong person to do that.&#8221;</p><p>He continued: &#8220;They came in with a purpose and left in a hurry.&#8221;</p><p>English estimates his losses at approximately $900 but it goes beyond money.</p><p>&#8220;These alligators were not for sale. They were rescues and surrenders,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I took them to nursing homes, birthday parties and schools for educational purposes.&#8221;</p><p>While police have reviewed the security footage, English has a suspect in mind.</p><p>&#8220;I recently moved the alligators to another section of the store more visible to the public,&#8221; English mentioned. &#8220;When my store closed last Wednesday, a man standing at 6 foot 3 yelled at my employee shouting that he wanted the alligators.</p><p>&#8220;He looked very sketchy. It makes perfect sense that it&#8217;s him.&#8221;</p><p>English, who has a degree in herpetology (the study of amphibians and reptiles), is concerned for the missing animals.</p><p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve been doing this a long time,&#8221; he said. &#8220;These reptiles are very sensitive but intelligent at the same time.&#8221;</p><p>Anyone with information on the break-in is encouraged to call Hanover Township Police at 570-825-1254.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Dan Stokes</p><p>dstokes@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Dan Stokes at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @ByDanStokes</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Small alligators stolen in burglary at Hanover Township pet store