Pair Charged in Theft of 500 Canaries From Miami Home

Police say Miami men robbed elderly man of 500 birds

A pair of bird thieves who stole more than 500 canaries from an elderly Miami man's home have been arrested, police said Friday.

Luis Suarez, 26, and Ariel Rodriguez, 27, both of Miami, were arrested and charged with grand theft, residential burglary and dealing in stolen property, according to Miami-Dade Police.

The theft happened back on May 26 at a home in the 11900 block of Southwest 47th Street, police said. According to police, the suspects made off with over 500 yellow and orange canaries worth about $30 each that belonged to an 87-year-old man.

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The next day, the suspects sold the birds to three different pet shops, police said. They were caught on surveillance video when they sold 120 canaries to Robert's Pet Shop at 14420 South Dixie Highway, police said.

Police were able to recover about 150 of the birds.

Both men surrendered to authorities on Thursday after their attorney contacted Miami-Dade Police, an arrest affidavit said.

Suarez was being held on $40,000 bond Friday. Rodriguez was being held without bond on a warrant case.

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