Teen Burglar Kills Goldfish Because He Didn't Want To Leave Any Witnesses, Cops Say

Police are calling a January burglary of a northwest suburban home "disturbing"--not just because of the stolen goods, but because the young burglars killed goldfish to avoid leaving "any witnesses."

According to TribLocal, a Nintendo game system, CD player, 30 video games, 30 DVDs, a BB gun, jewelry and fire safe containing personal papers and photographs were stolen from an Arlington Heights home sometime between Jan. 22 and Jan. 24.

When the homeowners returned, not only did they find their belongings stolen, but found their goldfish had been poisoned. Someone had poured hot sauce, mustard, ketchup and spices into their fish tank, and all three fish were dead.

Three teenagers were arrested for the burglary, according to the Daily Herald, and a 16-year-old involved with the incident reportedly told officers he "didn't want to leave any witnesses," so he killed the fish.

The boys, ages 15, 16 and 17, allegedly targeted the home because it had been evacuated following a Jan. 19 fire.

Police called the goldfish killing "disturbing," and the 16-year-old faces cruelty to animals charges in addition to a residential burglary charge. He and his two accomplices will be tried in juvenile court.

Comments

[Flor Arellano]

04:48 PM on 04/06/2011

Yes, kill the fish because they obviously talk. Have they never heard of the expression "swimming with the fishes"? If fish could talk, the mafia wouldn't have been dumping bodies overboard. smh

[dbrett480]

06:50 PM on 02/23/2011

These teens have a bright future as contributing members of society. Their parents would be proud.

[ben616]

10:46 PM on 02/18/2011

I doubt the kid is cold blooded.
They were probably laughing their butts off while robbing and one of them saw the fish and was like "dude no witnesses". I think any of us in that position would have saw the opportunity for humor and felt the fish were reasonable casualties to the joke.

[Asilee Barnes]

01:53 PM on 02/18/2011

Snitching will make you sleep with the fishes.

[samuraifrog37]

02:20 PM on 02/17/2011

I read this in The Onion.

[Dick Mdown]

09:40 AM on 02/17/2011

Snitches get DROWNEDDDDD!!!!

[diamondeyes83]

09:09 PM on 02/17/2011

Lol fanned.

[themooie]

06:45 PM on 02/16/2011

Sounds valid... should have also broken all the mirrors, reflection storage sorcery.

[Widespread Panic]

02:23 PM on 02/16/2011

Haaaahaaaaa!! Seriously?! These kids kill the fish cause they may be able to testify against them in court? Oh gawd that is the funniest thing I've read all day!

[UKNOWHOW ICM]

06:56 AM on 02/16/2011

Far too much CSI, eh?

[gogogadget]

12:48 AM on 02/16/2011

Future politicians of the Democratic Party.

[samuraifrog37]

02:20 PM on 02/17/2011

What wit you have my dear.

[msladydeborah]

11:16 PM on 02/15/2011

It sounds like someone needs to seek some serious mental health help ASAP! Who in their right mind would believe that a goldfish would tell on them? This is the work of a confused mind.

[diamondeyes83]

11:12 PM on 02/15/2011

Dumb shmucks.

[kaydeechio]

10:23 PM on 02/15/2011

What a bunch of maroons

[samuraifrog37]

02:21 PM on 02/17/2011

You mean H.P. For reporting this story?

[Mik McAllister]

10:20 PM on 02/15/2011

Wait a minute.

If he thought the goldfish were witnesses, this is not a burglary.

It's a home invasion. The house was "occupied" during the burglary.

Heh heh. Aren't the penalties for home invasion worse than for burglary?

[Mik McAllister]

10:17 PM on 02/15/2011

This kid *must* be straight.

Any decent cook will tell you that hot mustard, hot sauce, and ketchup make a lousy fish marinade.

Geez. He probably also forgot to preheat the oven.