Burglars ignore Xbox and steal tarantula (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Burglars ignore Xbox and steal tarantula

8:21am Friday 23rd January 2009

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Burglers who broke into teenager Liam Douglas’ house ignored his Xbox and made off with his pet Mexican redknee tarantula named Fangs.

The thieves took both the spider, which is worth about £200, together with its tank and lamp from the family home in The Rosary, Wootton Bassett.

They ignored other valuables which were scattered around the floor.

The tarantula is the pet of Liam, 15, who was asleep upstairs with his five brothers when the thieves came in.

Mum Juli, 38, was out when the thieves entered the dining room on January 10 at 2am.

She had asked her sons to leave the front door on the latch for her return.

She said: “I was at a friend’s house when somebody must have got in and stolen the spider. None of the boys heard a sound.”

She said: “It is very strange because there was an Xbox 360 and hundreds of games on the floor at the time, but they left that and went straight for the spider. “It seems like they knew exactly what they were doing and what they wanted.

“They took everything, including the tank and the lamp, so altogether it was all worth about £400.

“We are all fans of unusual pets, but Liam is absolutely gutted.

“He sobbed his heart out when he found out.”

The family, who also own several land snails, a bearded dragon and a snake, bought Fangs for £200 just 18 months ago and are desperate for him to be returned.

Mexican redknee tarantualas are black with orange red and brown marks.

They grow up to five inches long and their colour, size and docility make them popular for use in films such as Raiders Of The Lost Ark and James Bond.

They do not usually bite people but, if threatened, will rear up on their hind legs and flick hairs.

The spiders, which can live up to 30 years, are native to the scrub forests of Mexico and Central America Sergeant Martin Alvis of Wootton Bassett police station is appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious to call the police on 0845 408 7000.

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