Stolen Snakes Recovered After Arrest Of Sand Springs Man

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa County Sheriff's deputies have arrested a Sand Springs man and recovered snakes stolen from Safari's Interactive Animal Sanctuary after Wagoner County authorities got several tips on the location of those snakes.

Deputies went to the home of 21-year-old Ryan Haney late Tuesday to serve an arrest warrant involving an assault and battery conviction from earlier in the year.

The home is located in the 5800 block of South 161st West Avenue.

Sheriff's deputies were invited inside to talk with Ryan Haney's parents, when Ryan Haney ran upstairs. 

Deputies say Haney tried to destroy evidence by throwing an eight-foot python out an upstairs bedroom window.

They say Haney resisted arrest by refusing to be handcuffed. They say Haney attacked them with a pool cue, but a deputy used a taser to subdue him.

A Tulsa County Sheriff's Sergeant was injured on the hand during the altercation.

Wagoner County authorities say someone broke into Safari's Interactive Animal Sanctuary east of Broken Arrow late Monday night or early Tuesday morning and stole six snakes and money from the cash register.

8/3/2010 Related story: Snakes And Money Stolen From Safari's Sanctuary East Of Broken Arrow

After obtaining a search warrant, Wagoner County Sheriff's deputies identified the snakes which were located in a back bedroom of Haney's residence.

All of the snakes were returned safely to Safari's Interactive Animal Sanctuary.

Safari's Interactive Animal Sanctuary issued a statement Wednesday morning:

Safari's is truly excited about the return of our snakes.  We wish we could have recovered the safe, but that remains to be seen. 

The person accused of the crime has a criminal past and had done community service at Safari's for one of his previous crimes. 

There's nothing like striking back at those that try to help you. 

Safari's is currently reviewing the process for accepting community service workers. 

I can guarantee you that ID's will be checked and a public records check will be a minimum for ANYONE needing to do community service time at Safari's.

None of the money stolen from the park was recovered.

Haney was taken to the Tulsa County jail where he is being held on complaints of stolen property, attempting to destroy stolen property, resisting arrest and assault and battery on a police officer.

Haney's bond is set at $13,000.