Hillsborough detectives say a suspect pried open the rear door of a Riverview reptile business and stole its most prized snake.
Dan Rigsbey is a snake enthusiast who owns and operates KD Reptiles, offering more than 600 snakes for sale.
A thief broke into the business early Wednesday morning snatching the only snake special enough to be kept as a pet inside the house.
"I see the glass door was open and then a lot of her cage furnishings were pulled out," said Dan Rigsbey.
The snake is a pure white, 6' Leucistic boa constrictor. Rigsbey claims the snake is so rare, it's worth $50,000.
"If you're outside the reptile world, it's hard to believe that snakes can be worth that much money."
Rigsbey says the unknown suspect also got away with $1,500 in cash and four guns.
He's now installing surveillance cameras and an alarm to keep his pets and investments safe.
"You can't trust anybody," said Rigsbey. "And with the value in the facility we should have had it more secure."
Rigsbey is offering a $2,500 cash reward for the snake's safe return home. The snake's breeder is also contributing a $500 reward.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200.
