Suspect in the theft of Howard the tortoise accused of stealing turtle before

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - KRDO13 obtained arrest records for the man accused of stealing Howard the tortoise from Scales 'N Tails Exotic Pet Shop. Police say a man named Justin Edwards stole the tortoise in broad daylight. KRDO13 is learning that this may not be his first turtle theft. 

PAST COVERAGE: Stolen tortoise recovered, suspect arrested in Colorado Springs

On Monday, Howard was in great spirits following his tortoise kidnapping. Only days after he was returned home, he was spotted eating a delicious salad dinner mix.

On Wednesday, June 17, police say Justin Edwards told the store owner he had to get change from his car, pulled it around, and when the owner went to get the item he asked for, Edwards took the tortoise and left. 

Officers say that someone saw the store's Facebook post and called in a tip saying they recognized the suspect. When police spoke with that tipster, they told police that Edwards is a kleptomaniac and that he was recently arrested in Castle Rock for stealing a turtle. Castle Rock Police could not confirm that when KRDO13 asked. 

When officers were trying to quantify the cost of Howard, the Scales 'N Tales store owner said he could be sold for a thousand dollars, but to everyone at the store, Howard is priceless.

"We all kind of broke down, and we're a little shocked that something like that actually happened to Howard. So when we got that news [that Howard was found], we were exploding. Everybody's calling each other. Can we be here when Howard comes? It was some of the best news, I think, we've ever got here. Everybody here keeps saying that it's the best news they've heard in a very long time," recounted Dustin Bohnert, store manager.

The day after Howard was stolen, police say Edwards continued on his spree. Officers say he stole a tarp and a tent from the REI on E. Woodmen Rd. 

OTHER: Beloved tortoise stolen from Scales ‘N Tails reptile pet store

Police tracked Edwards down and took him into custody. However, at the time, he was not with the tortoise. Eventually, police found Howard and brought him back safe and sound to Scales 'N Tales. 

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