Police hunt thief on bicycle who stole shop's parrot and rode off with it on his handlebars

Police are hunting a thief on a bicycle who stole a parrot worth £2,000 and then rode off with it resting on his handlebars. Officers are investigating the theft which happened at around 3am on Tuesday at Timperley Aquatics Pet & Reptile Centre in Timperley, Altrincham, Cheshire. The thief threw a glass reptile cabinet through the parrot’s double glazed glass enclosure and made off with the red macaw bird.



Owner of the store, Graham Ralston, said the bird, called Charlie but affectionately know as ‘Baby’, would have been distressed and in pain during the attack. He said: “It’s an awful attack, she would have been so scared and the state of the place shows she put up a fight. Her feathers were all over the floor, including her tail feathers which the man would have been pulling at to grab her. It was in pitch black and she would have been woken up by him throwing the huge glass case at her. It would have traumatised her.”



The man then grabbled with the bird and threw a wheelie bin through the front of the shop window to make a quick getaway on a bicycle. Mr Ralston added: “Neighbours near the shop said they heard a loud smash and saw the man pinning her down to his handlebars with his arm as he cycled off. They said the noise of her squawking was unbearable. She is a big bird with a one metre wingspan so he mush have been holding her tight to stop her from flying away.



“I’m absolutely disgusted someone could do this to a beautiful bird.” He hand-reared the bird and it now lives in the shop. He added: “She is a local celebrity and has such a lovely personality. She would always greet customers by saying ‘Hello baby’. Everybody loves her.” Mr Ralston added: “We just want to get her back safely.” Police say the man is in his early 20s, slim with short hair, and was wearing dark clothing. He was later seen cycling with the parrot.