Beloved bearded dragon, mascot stolen from Compton pet store

COMPTON, Calif. (KABC) -- A bearded dragon disappeared from a Compton pet supply store and authorities are searching for the reptile robbers.

The rare bearded dragon named Sandy is the mascot for Rainbow Mealworms, Inc. She was stolen on Saturday. Steven Maushardt, reptile manager at the store, is devastated about the theft and said Sandy was not for sale.

"The one day that I wasn't here and she's gone. She was like my baby," he said in tears.

In surveillance video, three suspects are shown taking Sandy from her enclosure and walking out with her hidden beneath a jacket.

Gillian Spence, the store's general manager, said they have never dealt with a theft like this since the store opened in 1957. Her main concern is Sandy's well-being.

"Sandy is a hypo-trans giant bearded dragon. She is about 540 grams, kind of a sandy-gray color. Really beautiful, really striking. She has a little bit of yellow around her mouth," Spence said. "She needs to be back in her home and back on her high nutrition (diet). We're just worried about where she might be in some cardboard box."

Spence added that Sandy is worth $700.

The store owner is offering a $500 reward for the safe return of the beloved mascot. If you recognize the people in the surveillance video, call the store at (800) 777-9676.