PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
When an exotic bird disappeared from A-Z Pets, employees first thought the sun conure escaped from his cage.
But a quick review of the store's surveillance footage revealed the bright yellow bird had help leaving the store, according to Richard Bjugan, whose parents own the southeast Portland shop.
Bjugan says the video shows a man putting the bird under his shirt and walking out of the store, with his young daughter by his side, on Wednesday.
"He's not the first. People do that all the time, they use their kids all the time, I see it all the time," said Bjugan. "I think he's a piece of work. I don't think he should teach his kids to grow up like that."
Bjugan said the man was interested in buying the $350 bird this weekend but ultimately left the store without it.
He said the man has an eastern European accent, possibly Russian or Romanian.
The bird is a sun conure and stands about six inches tall.
Another woman purchased the bird the day it was stolen and planned to pick it up Thursday.
If you know anything about the theft, call Portland police.
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