http://ap.cjonline. com/pstories/ 20091029/ 510490423. shtml

Cops: Fla. man stole ferret by shoving it in pants
The Associated Press

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — It's one thing for shoplifters to hide plunder in their pants. But a live ferret? Police said a homeless man in north Florida did just that. And he made it out the door before being challenged. Rodney Bolton, 38, was charged with theft over the $129 animal that police say he took from a pet store in Jacksonville Beach.

A 17-year-old witness confronted Bolton in the parking lot and was bitten by the animal after the man allegedly shoved it in the teen's face.

That confrontation makes the ferret a "special weapon" under Florida law. So Bolton also faces battery charges for dangerously wielding the animal.

Calls to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Department to see if Bolton has a lawyer were not answered early Thursday.

This is almost like a bad joke. What a moron. Did he steal to keep it as a pet? He wouldn't be able to care for it so that wasn't smart. Did he steal it to sell? Well not smart either, who's gonna buy a ferret from a homeless man?

Assault? I never knew that could happen but the guy is pretty damn lucky it didn't bite him when it was in his pants