Stolen Colorado Springs Tortoise Recovered and Suspect Arrested

Overview

• A tortoise named Howard was taken from an outdoor pen at Scales 'N Tales reptile shop in Colorado Springs, prompting the store to ask the public for help.
• The shop posted photos of a possible suspect and urged customers and the reptile community to share any tips with the business or Colorado Springs Police Department.
• Detectives used information from the store, witnesses and social media to identify a suspect, who police later located and took into custody.
• Officers recovered Howard and reunited him with his owner after additional interviews and follow-up investigation, and police say the suspect had been linked to other retail thefts.
• Howard has lived at the store since 2011 and his return underscored how public tips and cooperation between a small business and police can speed the resolution of local theft cases.