Aquinas “Quinn” Kasbar, a 19-year-old jewelry thief who successfully stole hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of jewels before being caught, also had his eyes set on another heist—an endangered lemur.
Last year, an unknown suspect—at least at the time—snuck into the Santa Ana Zoo and cut a hole in the chain-link fence encircling the lemurs and capuchin monkeys. While the zookeepers successfully used grapes to lure the animals back to their designated area, they conducted a headcount and realized that one 32-year-old endangered lemur, by the name of Isaac, was missing.
Police and zoo officials began preparing for a search of the area when they received a call from the Newport police who had received a strange alert from a nearby Marriott hotel. Employees at the establishment had received a package, prompting them to alert authorities. “This belongs to the Santa Ana Zoo,” a note, attached to a plastic container, read. “It was taken last night please bring it to police," it continued. “Lemur (with tracker).”
Kasbar had acquired internet fame when he appeared in a viral video surfing a wave on an air mattress. He also apparently had a knack for burglary, which he used to target homes in Newport Beach and Corona del Mar and rob families of their expensive jewels, Rolex watches, and family heirlooms. He had sold various stolen items to pawn shops in the area, including a $4,500 Chopard ring to one and $52,000 worth of jewelry to another.
According to the Washington Post, he was finally apprehended in December 2018 after he attempted to escape the police by jumping into the ocean and swimming away. He was ultimately caught by the harbor patrol and arrested. Kasbar pleaded not guilty to 29 felony counts and two misdemeanors in relation to the various burglaries. While he was awaiting his trial, however, he was named as a suspect in the disappearance of Isaac the lemur.
The Los Angeles Times notes that authorities found evidence linking Kasbar to Isaac's disappearance, and on Monday, the defendant pleaded guilty to stealing the lemur, albeit briefly. In his plea agreement, he admitted to taking the endangered species and indicated that he hadn't intended to sell Isaac but rather "keep him as a pet."
In a statement to the Orange County Register, Kasbar's attorney Brian Gurwitz said his client delivered the lemur to the Marriott on account of his regret. “My client accepted responsibility today for a mistake he made as a high school student,” he said. “He quickly regretted his decision.”
The Post confirms that Isaac is doing well, whereas Kasbar is still awaiting his ultimate fate. Because he stole an endangered species, his crime classifies as a federal offense and if convicted, could land him behind bars for one year. He also has yet to be sentenced for his string of jewelry heists. He is scheduled to appear in court in October.
