'Gorillas' taunt monkey theft suspect

INDEPENDENCE, Mo., Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Volunteers in gorilla suits were on hand to greet a suspected monkey thief in Independence, Mo., as she exited a courthouse.

Dana Savorelli, owner of the Monkey Island exotic animal preserve, said surveillance video allegedly shows former volunteer Cathy Montes drugging three pigtailed macaques, catching them in a net and sticking them with needles before taking them from the preserve, KMBC-TV, Kansas City, Mo., reported Wednesday.

Volunteers from the preserve outfitted themselves with gorilla suits and protest signs to raise awareness about the theft outside of the Jackson County Courthouse.

Savorelli said Montes admitted to the theft in writing, but has not revealed the location of the stolen primates. She said she is trying to raise a reward fund for people who come forward with information about the theft.

"If I came to your house and stole your dogs, and you have me on tape, a written confession -- if that isn't enough, what more do you need?" Savorelli asked.