Suspect accused of stealing shark from San Antonio Aquarium is identified

Antone Shannon, 38, is accused of stealing a shark from the San Antonio Aquarium on July 28, 2018, according to police. Antone Shannon, 38, is accused of stealing a shark from the San Antonio Aquarium on July 28, 2018, according to police. Photo: Bexar County Jail Photo: Bexar County Jail Image 1 of / 39 Caption Close Suspect accused of stealing shark from San Antonio Aquarium is identified 1 / 39 Back to Gallery

The man accused of stealing a shark from the San Antonio Aquarium over the weekend has been identified by police.

Antone Shannon, 38, snatched the horn shark out of its tank, wrapped it in a blanket and then pushed it out of the aquarium in a baby stroller Saturday afternoon, according to Leon Valley Police Chief Joseph Salvaggio.

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He then took the shark, a female under one year old named Helen, to his home, where he had installed a personal aquarium.

"There were different marine animals," Salvaggio said. "(He) very much knew what he was doing and kept that animal alive, and was able to continue seeing that animal thrive, which was pretty shocking."

On Monday, officers visited Shannon at his home to question him about the alleged theft. He allowed them inside and took them directly to Helen. Salvaggio said Shannon was initially going to show the officers a fake receipt for the horn shark, but it was "obviously doctored and the gig was up."

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Police said Shannon confessed to stealing Helen, saying he used to have a horn shark of his own, but it died. Helen was to be its replacement.

Shannon faces a felony theft charge.

Security cameras showed two other people, a man and a woman, present with Shannon at the time of the shark napping, and Salvaggio said he expects them to be charged as well. The woman is set to come in on Tuesday for questioning but neither has been identified.

Helen was returned to the San Antonio Aquarium on Monday in good condition. San Antonio Aquarium assistant husbandry director Jamie Shank said the shark will be under several days of observation to make sure there are no effects of stress, that she does not have any parasites and that she is eating well.

According to online court records, Shannon has a lengthy criminal history in Bexar County. He's been convicted of at least six charges, including vehicle theft, drug possession and evading arrest.

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Caleb Downs is a crime reporter for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here.| cdowns@mysa.com | Twitter: @calebjdowns