PORT RICHEY, Fla. (WFLA) — A baby alligator’s disappearance has sparked a search for a man who is believed to have stolen the reptile under the cover of night.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office released surveillance video showing the suspect at the scene of the crime, a business in the 10500 block of U.S. 19 in Port Richey, around 3:50 a.m. on Monday, May 19.

The man could be seen walking up to a pond full of young gators. He then leaned over a railing and used a device with a long pole to catch one of the gators, authorities said.

Afterward, he wrapped the reptile in a white cloth and left on a blue bicycle, according to the sheriff’s office.

Detectives said the suspect appears to be roughly 20 to 30 years old and has a beard and mustache.

He was last seen wearing a black hat, blue and white plaid long-sleeve shirt, black undershirt, black shorts and black shoes.

Anyone with information on the case, or who can identify the suspect, is asked to call the Pasco Sheriff’s Crime Tips Line at 1-800-706-2488 and refer to case number 25016786, or submit a tip online at pascosheriff.com/tips.