Stolen tortoise returned home safely in Albuquerque

December 1, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. | Updated December 1, 2015 at 1:00 p.m.

by Associated Press

This Nov. 30, 2015 photo provided by the Albuquerque Police Department show Albuquerque Police Department Detective Megan Glynn, left and Officer Ryan Holets hold a pet tortoise that was stolen during a home invasion. The 10-year-old tortoise was returned to its owner after three men were arrested and jailed on suspicion of aggravated burglary and other crimes. The officers were able to find the suspects after recieving a description of the car in which the three drove off. (Albuquerque Police Department via AP)
This Nov. 30, 2015 photo provided by the Albuquerque Police Department show Albuquerque Police Department Detective Megan Glynn, left and Officer Ryan Holets hold a pet tortoise that was stolen during a home invasion. The 10-year-old tortoise was returned to its owner after three men were arrested and jailed on suspicion of aggravated burglary and other crimes. The officers were able to find the suspects after recieving a description of the car in which the three drove off. (Albuquerque Police Department via AP)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - A pet tortoise stolen during a home invasion got to ride shotgun when Albuquerque police returned the reptile to its owner.

Officers responding to the Sunday evening home invasion were able to get a description of the car in which three suspects drove off with the 10-year-old tortoise.

Police then were able to locate and stop the car. They found straw from the tortoise's pen on the car's front seat but not the tortoise itself.

However, questioning of the suspects enabled police to find the tortoise in the home of a friend of one of the suspects.

The tortoise was returned to a tearful owner. The three men were arrested and jailed on suspicion of aggravated burglary and other crimes.

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