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Police Seek Help Catching Butterfly Thief

91.7 WVXU | By Ann Thompson
Published April 18, 2018 at 2:19 PM EDT
The suspect reportedly entered Krohn Conservatory at 4:59 p.m. April 15.
Provided
The suspect reportedly entered Krohn Conservatory at 4:59 p.m. April 15.

Updated: Wednesday, April 18 at 6 p.m.

Cincinnati Police are investigating the theft of an expensive butterfly from Krohn Conservatory.

A blue morpho African butterfly is missing from the Butterfly Exhibit and police have pinpointed the person in the above photo as a suspect.

Morpho butterflies live in places like the Amazon and Nicaragua, and are colored in metallic-like, shimmering shades of blues and greens. They also are very expensive—reported collectors include London jeweler Dru Drury and Paris diplomat Georges Rousseau-Decelle. 

WVXU reached out to Krohn Conservatory for comment and is awaiting a response.  Police also released this surveillance video: 

Anyone with information about the incident, which took place April 15, is asked to call Crimestoppers at 513-352-3040 or submit an online tip at . All tips will remain anonymous 

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Ann Thompson
With more than 30 years of journalism experience in the Greater Cincinnati market, Ann Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her reporting. She has reported for WKRC, WCKY, WHIO-TV, Metro Networks and CBS/ABC Radio. Her work has been recognized by the Associated Press and the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2019 and 2011 A-P named her “Best Reporter” for large market radio in Ohio. She has won awards from the Association of Women in Communications and the Alliance for Women in Media. Ann reports regularly on science and technology in Focus on Technology.
See stories by Ann Thompson