A woman caught on camera stealing a baby turtle from a Hidden Valley pet store last month won’t be charged. 

Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday released the police report about the theft at Desert Grown Reptiles & Exotics, 49237 W. Papago Road. InMaricopa requested the report March 11. 

The owner told deputies March 10 a purple-haired woman stole the baby turtle during a car show outside the business the day prior.  

Deputies were provided security footage of the woman and her children walking through the store. Cops described her as possibly being in her 30s. 

The video shows the woman opening the baby turtle tank, grabbing a turtle and concealing it in the palm of her hand.  

Police believe the woman may have handed it to one of the children or put it in her purse. The owner valued the turtle at $200. 

Deputies did not know the suspect, and the case has been closed. 

The business owner shared security video on social media and asked for community help: 

Brian Petersheim Jr., Reporter
Brian Petersheim Jr., Reporter
Brian became part of the InMaricopa team in October 2020, starting as a multimedia intern with a focus on various multimedia tasks. His responsibilities included file organization and capturing photos of events and incidents. After graduating from Maricopa High School in the class of 2021, his internship seamlessly transitioned into a full-fledged job. Initially serving as a dedicated photographer, Brian's role evolved in October 2021 when he took on a new beat as a writer. He is currently pursuing his studies at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Brian's primary focus lies in covering public safety-related stories. In his free time, Brian finds joy in spending quality time with his family and embarking on adventures to explore the landscapes around him.
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