Rare Exotic Birds 'Tofu' and 'Plato' Stolen from Concord Pet Store; Suspect Arrested and Bird Reunited

CONCORD, California — A distressing exotic pet theft at a local Concord specialty store has ended with the arrest of a suspect and the partial recovery of the stolen animals, police and store owners reported.

The incident began on September 9, 2024, when thieves broke into the Feathered Follies store in Concord, making off with two rare, highly valuable birds named "Tofu" and "Plato." Valued at thousands of dollars, the birds required specialized care, prompting the store owner to make an emotional public plea: "Please help bring them home." The community rallied, sharing photos and information widely across social media networks.

The investigation reached a major breakthrough in mid-October. On October 17, 2024, Concord Police confirmed they had arrested a suspect in connection with the theft. Furthermore, at least one of the exotic birds was successfully recovered and reunited with its ecstatic owner. Police are continuing to investigate the whereabouts of the second bird and whether other accomplices were involved in the heist.