An 18-year-old man is in police custody following the theft of 48 layer chickens from the Antigua Grammar School in St. John's, according to Antigua News Room.
The chickens, each valued at EC$60, were allegedly taken from the school's poultry coop sometime between the morning of July 16 and late morning on July 17, representing a combined loss of EC$2,880.
The plywood-and-galvanized coop was last secured at approximately 9 a.m. on July 16. A staff member discovered the structure unsecured and the chickens missing around 11:30 a.m. the following day.
Investigators found that a section of plywood on the eastern side of the coop had been pried away, providing access to the enclosure.
Acting on information received, police searched an area along Kentish Road and recovered 28 brown chickens. A school employee subsequently identified the birds as among those taken from the coop.
Authorities then took an 18-year-old resident of Kentish Road into custody. No charges have been reported at this time.
Forensic personnel processed the scene. The recovered chickens were photographed and returned to the school.
Investigations are continuing.
