A woman remained in jail Wednesday on a $6,000 bond after her arrest for allegedly stealing her landlord's birds.
Betty Tucker, 45, of 3703 Cemetery Road, Sebring, was booked Tuesday on charges of grand theft of $300 or more but less than $5,000 and dealing in stolen property.
Just before 7 p.m., Tuesday, the victim alleged that Tucker took two cockatiels and two goslings out of their bird cages. The suspect lives in a home that's located on the same property as the cages, according to the arrest report.
It was a week ago that the cockatiels, valued at $100 a piece, were noticed missing. On Tuesday, the victim got a phone call from a neighbor, who reportedly saw Tucker take the goslings from the cage. They were $50 each.
The suspect reportedly admitted to taking the four birds. Tucker told law enforcement she sold them to a third party for $20 per pair. The money was going to be used to buy a "rock," or cocaine, the report stated.
Authorities met with the third party, who returned the birds to the victim.
Highlands County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Gentry made the arrest.
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