Downey man arrested after cops track down stolen lizard

A Downey man is behind bars and a local auto shop owner has his iguana back after a months-long investigation by sheriff’s detectives into a missing lizard.

Jesus Alcaraz, 19, of Downey was arrested Thursday on suspicion of burglary after gang detectives tracked him down and found a stolen iguana in Alcaraz’s home, according to a statement from the Sheriff’s Department.

Detectives used information collected from a Dec. 9 auto shop burglary on the 9800 block of Park Street in Bellflower to lead them to Alcaraz. The only thing stolen during the burglary was a 17-year-old iguana named “Lizard.”

Sheriff’s gang detectives recognized Alcaraz’s name, and they knew where to find him, according to a statement from the sheriff’s department.

Investigators on Thursday served a search warrant on Alcaraz’s residence in Downey. They found “Lizard,” a loaded handgun, marijuana, hashish oil, and gang parapherna ia.

Alcaraz was booked on suspicion of burglary,illegally having a firearm and drug-related charges.

He is scheduled to be arraigned in Downey Superior Court on Monday and he is being held on $350,00 bail.