Thieves snatch shark from aquarium ‘by disguising it as a baby’

Thieves brazenly stole a shark from the San Antonio Aquarium in Texas by placing it in a pram and strolling out of the building.

Security camera footage shows the gang of three lifting the 16-inch horn shark out from an open tank, wrapping it in a wet blanket and placing it in the pram before making their escape.

Happily, the shark - named Miss Helen - has since been returned.

The security camera footage from the aquarium shows a man leaning over the pool and nabbing Miss Helen, walking off with her in his arms.

An eagle-eyed member of staff saw the trio making off with the animal, and a manager confronted them in the parking area.

Unfortunately one of the men managed to drive off.

After a social media campaign and swift police action, Helen was found being well cared for by one of the suspects.

Two of the suspects have confessed, and police are deciding whether to charge the third suspected accomplice, according to Leon Valley police chief Joseph Salvaggio.

Since her return to the aquarium, Helen has been recovering in quarantine.

“She is doing good so far, and we are hopeful she will recover fully from the shock, and return to her home she is used to,” the aquarium wrote on its Facebook page.