63-Year-Old Man Beaten For 45 Bucks

Two muggers robbed and bloodied a 63-year-old legally blind man on Grand Avenue around 3:30 p.m. Monday.

So the victim told police, according to department spokesman Officer David Hartman (who wrote the above headline).

The man told that both attackers ​“punched him in the face, reached into his pocket and stole his $45 and prescription Oxycodone. The crooks bloodied the victim’s mouth and broke his dentures, before making their cowardly escape toward Ferry Street. The best description the victim could provide is that the robbers were in their 20s and wore all black.”

Hartman added that ​“the same victim had reported the theft of his Oxycodone from his residence just five days earlier. Detectives are looking into it.”

Cockatoos, Macaws Kidnapped

Cops summoned by a newspaper deliverer at 3:23 a.m. Tuesday to the pried-open front door of Amity Road’s Worldwide Fish & Pet Store found the following scene inside, according to Hartman.

“The defeated door was being propped open by a piece of metal. There was some pet food scattered about. Feathers, including a long blue one, were discovered. Red and blue feathers were discovered at the back of the shop. The cops found a number for the owner and asked that he come down to his business,” Hartman wrote in a release.

“The owner looked around and realized several high-priced birds were gone – nearly fifteen thousand dollars in mainly Parrots, Conures and Cockatoos. Among the missing is a Scarlet Macaw ($2,800), two Blue and Gold Macaws ($2,500 each), an African Grey ($2,500), a Severas Macaw ($1,400), two Grimson Belly Conures ($550 each) and an Orange Sun Conure ($349). He said several cages, some containing several Cockatoos were also stolen ($1,800).”

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call detectives at (203) 946‑6304.

“It’s possible a U‑Haul truck was used to pilfer the pricy psittacines,” Hartman added.

“The illegal trade of stolen exotic pets are rare investigations for any local law enforcement agency. Of immediate concern is the proper care and environment for the birds. Proper and specific nourishment is important as is assuring the birds are not exposed to extreme cold. According to the Pet Health Network, many birds and reptiles, in particular, need to be kept warm to remain healthy. Birds (especially larger parrots) can generally tolerate temperatures as low as the 50s, but once the thermometer drops below that, they may get fluffed up (expending all of their energy trying to trap warm air between their feathers and their bodies to keep warm) and stop eating. Pets burn extra calories trying to stay warm, so it is essential that they keep eating.”