Bird store hit again, this time with grab and run robbery

This woman is seen in store surveillance video putting a bird in her purse and running from the Birds-N-Paradise store. Photo provided by Lori Lister

A Menifee store that sells exotic birds was hit by thieves for the second time in less than a week Tuesday, this time by a woman who hid a bird in her purse and ran from the store during business hours, the store owner said.

Sheriff's deputies were on scene at Birds-N-Paradise in the 27000 block of Encanto Drive taking a report on the theft, which occurred about 1:30 p.m. Lori Lister, owner of the store, posted on the store's Facebook page photos taken from the store's surveillance video, showing a woman with what appears to be a teenage girl and a young boy walking through the store. The video shows the woman reaching into a glass enclosure displaying birds, putting something in her purse and walking out of the store.

According to Lister, the woman ran away before store employees realized there was a theft and could catch her. A 6-week-old baby blue ring neck parrot (left) was discovered missing.

Lister is asking that anyone who recognizes the woman call her call phone at 951-893-7650 or call police at 951-210-1000.

"This baby will die; he is still being hand-fed," Lister said.

The store had just installed a new video surveillance system after thieves burglarized the store at 2 a.m. Friday, stealing six birds worth about $9,000. And on Sunday night, thieves cut trailer hitch locks while trying to break into a trailer on the property but didn't escape with anything of value, Lister posted on her Facebook page.

More information can be found on the Birds-N-Paradise Facebook page.