DALLAS ZOO INCREASES REWARD TO $25,000 FOR INFORMATION ON MONKEY THEFTS, OTHER BIZARRE INCIDENTS
Two missing tamarin monkeys from the Dallas Zoo were discovered by the Dallas Police Department with assistance from Lancaster Police in an empty home. Davion Irvin, the man accused of taking the animals, allegedly admitted to wanting to steal more. (Dallas Police Department )
Irvin is charged with animal cruelty and burglary. He allegedly said he got past zoo security by jumping a fence after hours.
Irvin allegedly admitted to taking the monkeys and taking public transportation to an abandoned home where he left them, The Dallas Morning News reported, citing court records. The monkeys were later found in a closet inside.
"Both started eating and drinking almost immediately once the team completed health exams on [Tuesday]," the zoo said after they were found.
Besides losing some weight, the monkeys showed no signs of injury, the zoo said.
This photo provided by the Dallas Zoo shows emperor tamarin monkeys Bella and Finn at the zoo. (Dallas Zoo via AP)
Irvin also admitted to unsuccessfully trying to steal a clouded leopard named Nova earlier last month and later cut into a second monkey exhibit, the report said.
He allegedly told the police that he would attempt to steal more animals if he was released. He allegedly told police officers that he loved them.
Irvin was arrested last week at the Dallas World Aquarium after authorities received multiple tips from the public.
Dallas Police, with the help of the Lancaster Police Department, located the two missing tamarin monkeys from the Dallas Zoo at an abandoned home in Lancaster. (Dallas Police Department)
Authorities are still not sure if he was responsible for the death of a vulture at the zoo last month.