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A second suspected swan-napper has surrendered to law enforcement.
Jordan Montoya, 27, of Homestead turned himself in to Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Friday night, February 21, at around 11:30 p.m., PCSO officials said.
He surrendered at the Sheriff’s Processing Center on DeCastro Road, next to the animal shelter.
Montoya and 29-year old Alfredo Casanova, also of Homestead, are accused of stealing two black swans and six eggs from the Highland Village Mobile Home Park in south Lakeland on February 12.
Casanova turned himself in to the Polk County Jail on February 19.
Both men are charged with burglary of a structure, with an enhancement for crossing county lines, and grand theft. They have both bonded out of jail.
The male swan, Sterling, is estimated to be worth $3,200, while the female, Luna, is worth $3,000. The six eggs are valued at $1,500 apiece.
PCSO Agricultural Unit deputies recovered the swans and eggs from a man in South Florida and returned them to their home on February 17.
Becca Zakostelecky, a resident of Highland Village Mobile Home Park, said she is thrilled that PCSO charged both men. But, she said, the swans were traumatized from their ordeal.
“Their feathers are damaged,” she said. “They’ve already kicked out one of the eggs… I don’t have much hope for the eggs.”
Zakostelecky said the investigation is continuing into a possible swan-stealing ring.
As for the swans on Lake Morton, Lakeland Director of Communications Kevin Cook said the five-dozen birds are well watched and guarded by Lakeland residents.
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