Google Map leads Police to Bird Thief

Austin Police have charged Stanley Fifer with theft after they say he stole 15 exotic birds from a woman’s backyard. Police were able to find Fifer in part because he left a Google map with driving directions to his parents’ house in the back yard.

Police say they received a report on September 23 of last year from a woman who claimed her exotic birds were stolen. She told police that she raised the birds and that fifteen of them were missing along with some unhatched eggs and a trap used to transport the birds.

When investigators searched the back yard, they found a printout of a Google map with the end location being the victim’s home. The beginning location was for a house on Chinchring Lane. They also discovered an empty cardboard box with a shipping label that had the same Chinchring Lane address as on the map.

The next day the victim went to the residence on the Google map and shipping label. She called police and asked them to meet her there. When officers arrived they found Stanley Fifer outside. He told them that the home belonged to his parents.

Police then asked him about the missing birds. According to the arrest affidavit, Fifer initially denied any knowledge about the birds but appeared very nervous.

Police say that Fifer later admitted that he knew where the birds were. He allegedly told police that they were at his home and that he was keeping them for his friend “Matt.” Fifer claimed that he did not know the birds were stolen when he got them from his friend.

Police went to his residence and say that found seven of the missing birds there. Fifer told them that the rest flew away.

Police then interviewed Fifer’s girlfriend who was living with Fifer. According to court paperwork, Fifer’s girlfriend told police that Fifer told her that he bought the birds with a hot check. His plan was to sell them and put money in the account before the check cleared, according to his girlfriend. She told police she had never heard of “Matt” or that Fifer was only holding the birds for somebody else.

Investigators looked at Fifer’s criminal record and found that there were ten police reports filed between 2005 and 2007 indicating that Fifer stole animals. According to the police reports, Fifer stole four dogs, four birds, two snakes, two tortoises, and a chameleon from pet stores and individuals.

Police filed charges of theft for stealing the birds against Fifer.  That is a state jail felony.

The victim told police that the value of the missing birds not recovered from Fifer's home was approximately $1500.  Those that were recovered have a value of $2,000.