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LANSING, Mich. (UPI) — A clerk at Preuss Animal House in Lansing, Mich., said a woman stole a boa constrictor by hiding the snake inside her pants but quickly returned the reptile.

The clerk said the woman grabbed the boa while his back was turned and shoved it down her pants before quickly exiting the store, WDIV-TV, Lansing, Mich., reported Monday.

A surveillance camera recorded the woman reaching into the snake tank and walking away.

Rick Preuss, the store’s owner, said employees were concerned about the health of the baby snake before the woman brought it back to the shop.

“She brought it back right away and ran out the door before I could even get hold of any law enforcement,” Preuss said.

He said the store is not seeking to press any charges.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International

LAKE GENEVA, Wis. (UPI) – A retired police officer said he was fired from a security guard position at a Lake Geneva, Wis., Target after he stopped a teenager from stealing booze.

Dean Babcock said he spotted a 16-year-old girl attempting to steal a $45 bottle of Patron tequila March 7 and recognized her as the same teenage girl who was caught on a security camera taking a bottle of Captain Morgan rum only days earlier, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported Monday.

Babcock said he knew he was not supposed to approach the girl, as only certain security personnel are authorized to stop shoplifters, but none of the authorized guards were on duty that day and he was concerned for the girl’s health and safety.

Babcock said he attempted to handle the situation “low-key” by merely contacting the girl’s father instead of the police. However, he said, despite the father’s gratitude, he was fired four days later “for violating the policy” regarding when shoplifters can be stopped.

“They fired me for stopping a 16-year-old girl from stealing alcohol,” he said.

Kristin Grieser, an assistant store manager for the Lake Geneva Target, confirmed Dean’s termination, but said she could not give any details.

“We take shoplifting very seriously,” she said, “but we are also very cautious in making apprehensions.”

Copyright 2008 by United Press International