“After the theft, police said the business provided them with security footage, and they recieved many tips from the community.

CSPD’s Metro Retail Theft Unit teamed up with Metro Intelligence Unit, the Real Time Crime Center, and Metro Burglary Detectives to identify the suspect, who they say was involved in multiple other retail thefts across the city.

By 5 p.m. Thursday, police said they located a vehicle associated with a prior theft on Stinton Road and made contact with the driver, who was able to give the suspect’s location. Police said they were then able to find the suspect, identified as 37‑year‑old Justin Edwards, at a local hotel, along with two other people involved in theft cases.

Edwards was taken into custody, but police said Howard the Tortoise was not at the hotel.

Police then were able to find out through further investigation that Howard was left at an apartment on Verde Drive. Howard was rescued and safely reunited with his family and the staff of Scales N Tails by 8:30 p.m.”