BUSHNELL, Fla. -- A rare alligator was stolen amid an intentionally set fire that left more than 40 reptiles dead Friday night, Sumter County Sheriff's investigators say.
- Leucistic (snowball) alligator was stolen, deputies say
- Gator disappeared after fire killed 43 gators, crocodiles
- Officials believe building was intentionally set ablaze
In a news release Monday, deputies said they responded to a fire at Southwest 52nd Terrace in Bushnell at around 8:30 p.m. The fire destroyed the building.
After Sumter County Fire Rescue put out the fire, a person told authorities that a snowball alligator was missing and was last seen in the building at 11:30 a.m. that day.
Snowball, or leucistic, alligators have reduced skin pigmentation and can appear albino, though there are differences.
Forty three alligators and crocodiles were found dead in the building, deputies said.
The state Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the fire, which appears to be arson.
"Based on items observed at the scene, it appears that the building was burglarized first and then set on fire after the theft of the rare alligator," deputies said in the release.
Spectrum News spoke with the owner of the building Robbie Keszey.
“They set fire to our building killing other crocodiles that were housed … It was senseless and ridiculous. I don’t understand how someone could do this,” he said.
“There are hundreds of Albinos in the world, but Leucistics -- they are just not there, and that’s what made him so special and makes him so special is he has blue eyes, he’s white, he has patches he’s so beautiful, ” Keszey said.
He said he uses Snowball for educational purposes and shows him to the kids.
“You guys think he’s beautiful, and it’s a white alligator with blue eyes and they go, ‘Oh my god, that’s beautiful.’ I go ‘stop and think what all the other alligators think, they think he’s ugly but he’s not, right?’ Keszey said. “And the kids get it, and that is the incredible thing about Snowball -- he touches people’s life, they get to touch him and hold him, and see how cool he is.”
Keszey is asking people to call law enforcement if you know anything.
“He means so much to us, and we just want him returned,” Keszey said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Sumter County Sheriff's Det. Chris Merritt at 352-793-2621 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).